A second mosquito trap in the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District, Williamson County, Texas, has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the sixth positive trap in the county this year. The sample, collected near Cat Hollow Park on July 13th, was confirmed positive by the Texas Department of State Health Services lab on July 18th. This positive trap is located less than two miles from another positive trap found near the Beck Preserve on July 7th.

This marks the fifth consecutive week with a positive West Nile virus mosquito trap in Williamson County. As part of the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s (WCCHD) Integrated Vector Management program, increased mosquito trapping and larvicide treatments are being implemented in the affected areas, with signage posted to inform the public. Health officials stress the importance of reducing mosquito populations to prevent West Nile virus transmission. They urge residents to eliminate standing water on their properties, as mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water.

West Nile virus symptoms can range from mild fever, headache, body aches, and skin rash to more serious neurological issues like stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, and paralysis, particularly in those over 50 or with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, the virus can be fatal. The WCCHD promotes the "Fight the Bite" campaign, emphasizing the "three Ds": Drain standing water, Defend with EPA-approved insect repellent, and Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

This news comes as Texas, along with Florida, has seen confirmed cases of locally acquired malaria in recent months, a development that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes to increased international travel during the summer.