AUSTIN, Texas — As part of routine monitoring for mosquito-borne diseases, including the West Nile virus, Austin Public Health (APH) has identified a positive mosquito pool for West Nile Virus in the 78744 zip code.
Although no human cases of West Nile virus have been identified at this time, the positive mosquito pool indicates the virus is present in the community. In 2023, one West Nile virus death and three probable cases were reported in Austin-Travis County. Across Texas, 913 positive pools were reported along with 90 confirmed human cases.
“It’s the time of the year when people are spending more and more time outdoors, especially around water. If you’re going outside you need to include mosquito prevention as part of your preparation for the day,” said Marcel Elizondo, Environmental Health Services Division Chief. “Let’s follow the four Ds and use the prevention tools at our disposal to keep ourselves, our families and communities safe.”
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is typically spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus is not spread through coughing, sneezing or touching other people or live animals.
Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Of those infected, few develop further serious illnesses that usually affect the central nervous system. People over 60 years of age are at greater risk of developing serious disease, as are those with medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease. Organ transplant recipients are also at risk for more severe forms of disease.
Know the dangers and fight the bite with the “four Ds”:
- Drain standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water and need as little as one teaspoon. Emptying water that accumulates in toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, clogged rain gutters and plant pots will deny mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs and reproduce.
- Dusk to dawn: Although different species of mosquitoes are active at different times of day, the Culex mosquito that spreads West Nile virus is most active between dusk and dawn.
- Dress: Wear pants and long sleeves when you are outside. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; mosquito-repellent clothing is also available.
- DEET: Apply insect repellent: Use an EPA-registered repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. Apply on both exposed skin and clothing.
Mosquitoes are present in Central Texas year-round but are most active from May through November. During this period, APH's Environmental Vector Control Unit monitors the mosquito population.
For more information on West Nile virus visit www.AustinTexas.gov/WestNile. For additional information about APH Environmental Vector Control and mosquito monitoring programs visit https://austintexas.gov/department/environmental-vector-control.