AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mosquito trap collected in Hays County earlier this week tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to a release from the county.
The mosquito trap sample was collected from a site in the unincorporated area of Austin/Dripping Springs in the 78737 zip code on Oct. 28, per the release.
Hays County Health Department (HCHD) received confirmation from the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Friday that the sample was positive. It’s the first reported West Nile Virus-positive mosquito trap of 2025, the release said. There were nine during the 2024 season.
Across the state so far this year, DSHS has reported 1,182 positive mosquito traps for West Nile. Last year, DSHS reported 3,314 positive traps.
According to the release, Hays County Development Services is providing mosquito surveillance within the county to monitor and track mosquito-borne illnesses and collecting mosquitoes to determine which areas are harboring diseases.
HCDS will also set up collection traps across the county on a rotating basis to send samples to DSHS in Austin for identification and to determine the types of illnesses the mosquitoes could be spreading.
For more information regarding mosquito abatement, contact Hays County Development Services at 512-393-2150. Visit the Texas Department of State and Health Services West Nile website for more information on the disease at txwestnile.org.
Mosquito prevention
Mosquitoes can be avoided through the “Four D’s”:
- Dusk and dawn: Although different species of mosquitoes are active at different times of day, the species that spread West Nile Virus are 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 that contains DEET. Read and follow label instructions. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent. Find the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of repellents here.
- Drain: Get rid of standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, birdbaths and wading pools can be breeding sites for mosquitos.
The Austin Environmental Vector Control program also provides education, information and ideas on techniques that can be used to mitigate or eradicate mosquitoes and rodents.
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