AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Public Health (APH) continues mosquito abatement, education, and outreach efforts in the 78744 zip code as a second pool has tested positive for West Nile virus.
While no human cases have been reported, two positive pools in as many weeks indicate the presence of the West Nile virus in the community. In Austin-Travis County in 2023, one West Nile virus death and three probable cases were reported, with 45 pools testing positive for the virus.
“Our teams continue to monitor mosquitoes in the area and take actions to alert and educate residents on the threat and prevention methods,” said APH Director Adrienne Sturrup. “While the positive pools have only been seen in 78744, I encourage everyone in Austin and Travis County to follow best practices and protect themselves from mosquitoes through the rest of the year.”
The second positive pool was captured by the same mosquito trap that detected Austin-Travis County’s first positive pool in May. In response, APH Environmental Health Officers have placed signs and distributed flyers with information on mosquito prevention. They also administered larvicide in standing bodies of water.
APH’s Community Health Workers will visit homes in the area to share information and distribute kits that include flyers, repellent, and other resources.
At the start of mosquito season in May, APH launched its Fight the Bite campaign to raise awareness across Austin and Travis County. This campaign includes social media posts, flyers, bus wraps, and billboard advertisements.
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 more serious illnesses affecting 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.
To combat mosquito bites effectively, residents are advised to follow these “four Ds”:
- Drain standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water needing as little as one teaspoon. Emptying water from toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, clogged rain gutters and plant pots will prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
- Dusk to dawn: The Culex mosquito that spreads West Nile virus is most active between dusk and dawn.
- Dress: Wear pants and long sleeves when outside. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is recommended; mosquito-repellent clothing is also available.
- DEET: Apply insect repellent using an EPA-registered product containing DEET or other effective ingredients like picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Mosquitoes are present year-round in Central Texas 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 details about APH Environmental Vector Control and mosquito monitoring programs visit https://austintexas.gov/department/environmental-vector-control.