West Nile Virus Activity Climbs Across Central Texas — Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Mosquito surveillance across Central Texas is turning up more bad news this summer.
Hays County confirmed its fourth West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool of the season, with the latest sample traced back to San Marcos. County officials say they’re continuing active monitoring and notifying residents as new results come in, though no human cases have been reported there so far.
Hays isn’t alone.
Austin Public Health has confirmed multiple positive pools in Travis County this year, including detections in the 78733 and 78744 ZIP codes, and officials have started applying larvicide near affected sites. Williamson County reported its own first positive trap of the season near Georgetown.
Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services has logged hundreds of positive mosquito pools in 2026 alone — and officials point to a wet, mild spring as a major driver of the surge in mosquito activity.
Regional health departments — including Austin Public Health, Hays County Health Department, and Williamson County and Cities Health District — say surveillance will continue through November, when mosquito activity typically tapers off.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses, and some other animals.
While most people infected with West Nile virus never feel sick, roughly 20% develop symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, or rash, and a small number face serious neurological illness. There’s still no specific treatment.
Health officials recommend the “Four D’s”:
- Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor exposure when Culex mosquitoes are most active.
- Dress: Wear long, loose, light-colored clothing.
- DEET: Use EPA-registered repellents.
- Drain: Empty standing water — mosquitoes can breed in as little as a teaspoon.
Sources:
- FOX 7 Austin, “West Nile virus in Hays County: Fourth mosquito trap tests positive”
- KXAN Austin, “Third mosquito trap sample in San Marcos tests positive for West Nile Virus”
- KXAN Austin, “First West Nile virus mosquito pool tests positive in Travis County”
- AustinTexas.gov, “Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Travis County”
- KVUE, “Second Travis County mosquito pool tests positive for West Nile virus”
- KUT Radio, “Why Austin mosquito season is worse, and how to control them”
- KXAN Austin, “Williamson County mosquito samples test positive for West Nile Virus”
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle “multiple times” in an overnight incident on Red River Street downtown around 4:00 a.m.
APD scanner chatter reported the 35-year-old man injured suffered multiple fractures and hematoma to the head.
No other information was provided on the patient or the vehicle involved.
One person was killed in a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in the area of Bastrop Highway Service Rd. Northbound at Montopolis Drive. (CBS Austin)
The road was reopened at around 8 a.m. No other information is available regarding the incident.
A Cedar Park man lost his life early Friday in a crash in Leander.
The Leander Police Department and Williamson County EMS responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash at Goodyear Auto Service, 11245 Hero Way West.
“Upon arrival, emergency personnel located the driver, who was found in critical condition. The driver was the sole occupant in the vehicle. Immediate life-saving measures were initiated by emergency personnel at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates that the pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Hero Way when it left the roadway near the intersection of Broade Way. The vehicle proceeded through a business parking lot and struck the Goodyear Auto Service building, causing structural damage. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.”
The driver, 54-year-old Jeremy Joseph Kemp of Round Rock, was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
A deadline approaches for the Pflugerville Fire Department. By October 1, the community must retake the reins for its emergency medical services.
You may notice a chlorine smell in your water in August if you live in Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown or Liberty Hill. (Austin American-Statesman)
During the temporary conversion, customers may notice:
- A stronger chlorine smell or taste, similar to pool water
- Cloudy or slightly discolored water in some areas due to hydrant flushing
- Temporary changes in water pressure near flushing locations
The water will continue to meet state and federal drinking water standards and will remain safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and everyday use.
In the wake of the vote to close Paredes Middle School, Austin ISD inadvertently sent out incorrect information to parents and faculty.
“It seems AISD sent out communication to everyone that they are zoned to Mendez. They should be sending out a retraction (hopefully) and letting you know your correct information!” — Paredes Middle School
A traffic stop in Georgetown last night led to a pursuit after the driver allegedly pointed a gun at an officer.
The subject was located in the field a short time later and taken into custody without incident.
Texas Department of Public Safety Capitol Patrol Troopers conducted a traffic stop in Travis County Thursday that resulted in the seizure of more than one kilogram of cocaine.
A Caldwell County law enforcement agency is mourning the loss of one of its own.
The Constable’s Office for Precinct 2 says Environmental Crimes Investigator Ryan McKnight died Saturday in a drowning accident in Uvalde County.
It’s the first weekend since Austin’s waterways reopened, after heavy flooding. A local business owner says it was hard to keep business afloat during the closures.
WEATHER
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A 20-acre wildfire is near containment in Cass County in East Texas.
Upshur County is also reporting some small blazes.
In his latest Watson Wire, Mayor Kirk Watson highlights the area’s upcoming wildfire preparedness symposium.
The small town of Buckholts is without its own police force this weekend, after state regulators stripped the department of its authority to operate.
Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore announced Friday that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement revoked the Buckholts Police Department’s authority to make appointments, meaning the department lost its legal ability to hire, commission or place licensed personnel on staff.
The move forces the complete separation of all active licenses from the department, effective immediately. The Milam County Sheriff’s Office will now take over full-time policing duties for the city.
Saturday, the infested zone established in Pecos County was modified in association with a New World screwworm detection in a sheep. The existing zone expands into portions of Crockett, Pecos, and Terrell Counties.
Since defeating Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico vowed to earn the vote of her supporters in his race against Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Talarico has held town halls in Dallas and Houston for Black voters to listen and question him. On July 22, he acknowledged that he faced some tough questions from the town halls.
This week marks 90-days until the November election. Two new polls – one from FOX News – show James Talarico leading Ken Paxton. Democrats are now hoping Talarico’s momentum pushes them into a majority in the legislature. But Texas Republicans are coming off a big show of unity. State Representatives Shelley Luther, R-Sherman, and Christina Morales, D-Houston, join us on this episode of Y’all-itics.
While a Fox News poll shows Democrats neck and neck with Republicans statewide, the Texas GOP is forgiving all their internal bad blood from top to bottom and starting a push to do almost anything rural voters want even if it’s potentially bad for almost everyone else. In that spirit, we’ll take you to an old school tent revival fused with a professional wrestling pay-per-view event.
And in that vein, Republican leaders pull back on plans for electricity transmission followed by some advice for Uncle Paul Bettencourt about his Trump impersonation.
(Episode from July 31, 2026)
During his time as mayor of Austin from 2015 through 2023, the capital city grew by 20%, saw homelessness become a crisis and faced off against a Republican state government that threatened to take over the city. In Adler’s new book, “Hot Seat — Hot City,” he reflects on his days at city hall and warns about coming threats to democracy in Texas.
(Episode from July 31, 2026)
Organizers said they’ll gather in Memorial Park today before running to the mayor’s neighborhood to protest after Lorenzo Salgado’s shooting death.
A Washington County man says thousands of bees attacked him while mowing his lawn near Brenham, leaving him fighting for his life.
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC fell in a 1-0 defeat against Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Myrto Uzuni and Besard Sabovic both had quality chances in the first half, with the former going just wide of the post and the latter bringing a save from Colorado goalkeeper Nico Hansen. Facundo Torres and Brandon Vazquez also nearly opened the scoring on the other side of halftime as Austin pushed forward.
Following the loss, Austin FC holds a regular season record of 4 wins, 9 losses, and 5 draws (4-9-5). They have earned a total of 17 points across 18 matches. (Austin FC)
ON THE SCHEDULE
MLB: The Houston Astros edged out the Texas Rangers 5-4 last night, securing their fifth consecutive victory and extending their newly reclaimed lead in the American League West.
Reliever Steven Okert earned the win, while closer Josh Hader slammed the door with a perfect ninth inning to notch his 15th save of the year. The tight victory, fueled by multi-RBI performances and crucial bullpen depth, leaves the surging Astros firmly in the division driver’s seat.
AL WEST STANDINGS
| Rank | Team | W | L | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Astros | 57 | 55 | .509 |
| 2 | Texas Rangers | 55 | 56 | .495 |
| 3 | Seattle Mariners | 54 | 58 | .482 |
| 4 | Athletics | 45 | 66 | .405 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Angels | 42 | 69 | .378 |
It’s a tight race up top — Houston, Texas, and Seattle are all bunched within a few games of each other, while the A’s and Angels have fallen well off the pace.
COWBOYS: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joins CBS Sports Texas‘ Bill Jones for his annual one-on-one conversation from training camp in Oxnard, California.
Jones discusses the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the 2026 Cowboys, the impact newcomers are making on the roster, and why he believes this team is positioned to compete now.
He also shares his thoughts on wide receiver George Pickens and what his future could look like in Dallas.
As the Cowboys prepare for a season with Super Bowl LXI set to be played at SoFi Stadium near Jones’ Southern California roots, the longtime owner reflects on a unique coincidence: 61 was also the number he wore during his college football career.
With championship expectations once again surrounding America’s Team, are the stars aligning for Dallas in 2026?
TEXANS: Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter headline one of the NFL’s most dangerous defensive fronts, but Houston’s success depends on more than its stars.
Go position by position through the Texans defense, including the competition for pass-rush snaps, the linebacker depth to watch and the young defensive backs who may be asked to step into bigger roles.
The unit enters camp with one goal: raise the standard again.
34 DAYS UNTIL TEXAS FOOTBALL
LONGHORNS: Texas Longhorns land a massive recruiting win as 5-star running back Landen Williams-Callis officially commits, electrifying Longhorn Nation and vaulting Texas back into the top 5 nationally for the 2027 class.
Could this dynamic playmaker be the next great in a storied Texas backfield?
This episode of Texas Eats Now explores diverse culinary experiences across Texas, highlighting local businesses and new restaurant openings. David Elder takes viewers through a journey of comfort food, fresh pastries, and innovative dining concepts.
