On Monday, August 17, Hays County officials reported that a mosquito collected from a trap in Kyle tested positive for West Nile virus.
Since July 7, 2026, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquito trap samples in San Marcos, Buda and now Kyle. There has been one confirmed human case in Hays County.
In a press release issued by Hays County, Environmental Health Specialist Nick VandenBroek said, “This additional positive occurrence in Kyle serves as a reminder that West Nile virus is active within Hays County.”
We want to remind our Kyle community to take the necessary precautions while spending time outdoors. We encourage everyone to remember the four D’s to prevent mosquitoes from biting you:
- Drain all free-standing water. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in less water than fills a bottle cap!
- Dress in long sleeves and long pants so they can’t bite you as easily.
- Defend yourself by using EPA-approved repellents such as DEET, picaridin, lemon oil or eucalyptus oil. For a complete list of repellents and their repellency visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/.
- Dusk and Dawn is when many mosquito species are out feeding, but some species, such as those that carry the Zika virus, feed throughout the day and night. For more information about times mosquitoes feed and their flying ranges, See page 2 of this report from Texas A&M.
City of Kyle Mosquito Control
In an effort to reduce mosquito populations and increase public health and safety, the City of Kyle in collaboration with Hays County:
- Routinely monitors, traps and tests mosquito populations for diseases.
- Practices mosquito control through source reduction and pesticides in limited and prescriptive measures.
- Promotes public education to reduce mosquito breeding habitats and to notify residents of the presence of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus or other mosquito-borne illnesses.
Following the positive mosquito trap sample, the City of Kyle now enters Stage 3 of their Mosquito Response Plan and will now begin increasing surveillance and reducing mosquito sources through the application of Bti’s in affected areas, or applying a soil bacteria that kills mosquito larvae directly to areas known to be insect breeding grounds.
Should additional West Nile virus samples be found, the City will increase their response as listed above.
For more information on city-based prevention efforts, visit our Mosquito Control webpage that includes helpful information on prevention efforts, what the city does to control mosquito populations, and links out to our full Mosquito Surveillance and Abatement Policy.
Overall, remember, we’re here to help. The public health and safety of our residents is incredibly important. If you have a mosquito issue in your neighborhood, please call us at Kyle 3-1-1 and city staff will respond.
About West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and not generally spread from person to person, except in extremely rare circumstances.
About 80% of people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. Approximately 20% may experience fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or swollen lymph nodes. Less than 1% of people infected develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis. People age 50 and older, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness.
Anyone experiencing symptoms associated with West Nile virus is encouraged to seek medical attention.
