First probable case of West Nile Virus in two years confirmed in Travis County

Two weeks after Austin Public Health identified a pool of mosquitoes positive for the West Nile Virus, a Travis County resident has a probable positive test for the virus.

This is the first human case of the virus in the county since 2018, according to APH, when the county had eight positive pools of mosquitoes and four human cases.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control, most people who are infected with the virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito do not feel sick. About one in five people develop a fever and symptoms, according to the CDC, and about one in 150 can develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Mosquitoes carrying the virus were detected in pools in the 78756 ZIP code near Burnet Road and the 78751 ZIP code around Hyde Park earlier in July.

Williamson County and Cities Health District said July 27 it has identified mosquitoes positive for the virus for three consecutive weeks in a sampling taken near the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park. However, there have not been any human cases of the virus in Williamson County since 2017, according to a media release.

Mosquito season in Central Texas runs from May through November, according to APH. Residents are encouraged to drain any standing water sources on their property, wear appropriate clothing and bug spray and limit time spent outdoors to protect themselves from the virus.