Georgetown to host 3 nights of truck-mounted spraying after two traps test positive for West Nile

Two mosquito trap samples collected in Georgetown have tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the second West Nile virus positive for the trap located on Yellow Rose Trail in the past two weeks, according to a news release.

An original testing site as well as an expanded site set up by the Williamson County and Cities Health District both had positive results Aug. 19, the release said. No other samples were found to be positive, it said.

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. In 2020, there have been seven mosquito trap pools that returned positive for West Nile virus in Williamson County, the release said.

The city of Georgetown, in following the WCCHD's Best Practices for Integrated Mosquito Management, will have truck-mounted spraying as well as enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education, the release said. Enhanced mosquito control efforts will also continue with the treatment of standing water with larvicide, it said.

Georgetown is implementing insecticide spraying in the vicinity of the positive sample for three consecutive nights from Aug. 21-23. A city vehicle will use a pyrethrin-based insecticide along the street right of way and in public parks, weather permitting, according to the release. Pyrethrin is a chemical that can be found in chrysanthemums, it said.

The map shows were spraying is planned.

Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people and pets may want to stay indoors during spraying, the release said.

The city and the WCCHD are encouraging everyone to be especially vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites when outdoors and about preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property, the release said. Recent rain and continued warm temperatures are prime breeding conditions for mosquitoes, it said.