The latest mosquito samples from Sept. 27 and 30 tested negative for the West Nile Virus in Hutto, where a positive result Sept. 20 triggered expanded trapping and testing.
Hutto participates in the Williamson County and Cities Health District mosquito management program. Traps collect mosquitoes at Fritz Park and Creekside Park, and the positive result in September came from Creekside Park.
There were no human cases in Hutto. The last reported case in Williamson County was in 2014.
Texas Department of State Health Services officials are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy in Bastrop County on Sunday. News reports said he was diagnosed and treated for West Nile. It would be the fourth West Nile-related death reported in Texas this year. The state has had 200 human cases of West Nile reported in 2016, according to DSHS.
After Hutto’s positive test in September, signs were placed in Creekside Park as a warning to residents and visitors. The WCCHD stated in a release the signs would be removed if the results are negative from the Oct. 3 samples.
The WCCHD said October is generally the most active month for mosquitoes in Williamson County because migratory birds make their way through the area.
The city of Hutto suggests the three D’s of defense:
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Drain standing water in flower pots, pet dishes or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained.
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Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent.
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Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
Hutto code enforcement division continue its focus on mosquito abatement throughout the community. The city asks residents to report stagnant water on public or private property to the code enforcement division at
www.huttotx.gov/requesttracker, the HuttoNow app on mobile devices or email
[email protected].