Jury sentences San Marcos man to life for continuous sexual abuse of child – Hays County (.gov)

West Nile Virus Detection in Hays County and Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 3

Executive Summary

On October 31, 2025, the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) confirmed the first positive test for West Nile Virus (WNV) in a mosquito sample for the 2025 season. This detection, located in the 78737 ZIP code, underscores the ongoing public health challenge of vector-borne diseases and highlights the critical importance of local surveillance and community action in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. This report details the surveillance findings, outlines public health recommendations, and contextualizes the county’s efforts within the framework of the SDGs.

Surveillance Data and Public Health Context

The positive sample was collected on October 28, 2025, in the unincorporated area of Austin/Dripping Springs. This finding is the first in Hays County for the 2025 season, compared to nine positive traps recorded during the 2024 season. Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 1,182 positive WNV mosquito traps in 2025, a decrease from the 3,314 reported in 2024. Eric Vangaasbeek, Chief Environmental Health Specialist, noted that increased rainfall in Central Texas creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes by increasing standing water. This environmental factor directly impacts public health, making proactive monitoring essential for risk reduction, a key component of SDG Target 3.d, which focuses on strengthening capacity for early warning and management of health risks.

Health Implications and Alignment with SDG 3

West Nile Virus poses a direct threat to community health, aligning with the objectives of SDG 3. While approximately 80% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, 20% may experience symptoms that include:

• Fever
• Headache and body aches
• Joint pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Skin rash

A small percentage of individuals, particularly those over 50 or with compromised immune systems, are at risk for severe neuroinvasive disease, which can lead to disorientation, paralysis, and, in rare cases, death. As there is no specific treatment for WNV, prevention is paramount. The county’s efforts to control and monitor this vector-borne illness contribute directly to SDG Target 3.3, which aims to end epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030.

Proactive Measures and Community Engagement for Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

Official Directives on Public Health Responsibility

County officials have emphasized that public health is a shared responsibility. County Judge Ruben Becerra framed the WNV detection as a “call to action,” urging residents to take simple precautions. Similarly, Commissioner Walt Smith highlighted the importance of ongoing surveillance and control efforts. These statements reinforce the principles of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which calls for safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements. Community participation in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds is a tangible action toward creating a healthier local environment.

Recommended Prevention Strategies

Health officials advocate for a three-pronged prevention strategy, known as the “Three Ds,” to empower residents to protect themselves and contribute to community-wide health and well-being.

1. DEET: Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or other approved active ingredients when outdoors.
2. DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing to minimize skin exposure.
3. DRAIN: Eliminate all sources of standing water on personal property, as mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water. This includes emptying buckets, flowerpots, old tires, and pet bowls. This action directly supports SDG 11.6 by reducing environmental health hazards within the community.

County-Level Surveillance and Disease Prevention Framework

Mosquito Surveillance Methodology

Hays County Development Services (HCDS) operates a robust mosquito surveillance program to provide critical early warning data, a core tenet of SDG Target 3.d. The program monitors mosquito species, population density, and geographic breeding sites to prevent and combat mosquito-borne illnesses. HCDS employs two primary trapping methods:

• Gravid Trap: This CDC-designed trap attracts female mosquitoes ready to lay eggs, allowing for the collection of species that are primary vectors for WNV.
• BG-Sentinel Trap: This trap targets other mosquito species known to carry different arboviruses.

Samples are sent to the DSHS for identification and testing. This systematic data collection, running from May to November, forms the foundation of the county’s evidence-based public health response.

Conclusion and Forward Outlook

The Hays County Health Department and Development Services will continue their integrated surveillance and public health outreach efforts. The detection of West Nile Virus serves as a critical reminder that managing vector-borne diseases requires a multi-faceted approach combining scientific monitoring, government action, and community participation. These efforts are fundamental to protecting residents and advancing the global objectives of SDG 3, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all members of the community.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

   The article on the detection of West Nile Virus in Hays County, Texas, and the subsequent public health response connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are relevant due to the article’s focus on public health, community safety, environmental factors, and government action.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The entire article revolves around a public health threat, the West Nile Virus. It discusses the disease’s symptoms, risks to human health, and preventative measures. The efforts of the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) and Development Services (HCDS) to monitor, control, and inform the public about this vector-borne disease directly support the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all residents.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     The article highlights a community-level response to a public health risk. It details how local government bodies are working to make their community safer and more resilient. The mosquito surveillance program, public awareness campaigns (e.g., “the three Ds: DEET, Dress and Drain”), and inter-departmental collaboration (HCHD, HCDS, County Judge, Precinct Commissioner) are all actions aimed at managing a local environmental health hazard, which is crucial for creating sustainable and safe human settlements.

   • SDG 13: Climate Action

     A direct link is made between a climatic factor and the health risk. The article states, “Rainfall within the Central Texas area leads to an increase in standing water, which provides ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.” This connects climate-related events (increased rainfall) to the proliferation of disease vectors. The county’s surveillance and control efforts can therefore be seen as a measure to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related health hazards.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed.

   • Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     • Target 3.3: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.” West Nile Virus is a communicable, vector-borne disease. The article describes direct actions—surveillance, control, and prevention—being taken by Hays County to combat this disease within its community.
     • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The detailed description of the HCDS mosquito surveillance program, which involves setting traps, collecting samples, and sending them for testing to “provide critical early predictive data,” is a clear example of a local system for early warning and risk management of a public health threat.

   • Targets under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters…” A disease outbreak is considered a biological disaster. The proactive measures described, such as eliminating breeding grounds and public awareness campaigns, are aimed at reducing the number of people affected by West Nile Virus.

   • Targets under SDG 13: Climate Action

     • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” By implementing a robust mosquito monitoring and control program in response to increased rainfall, Hays County is actively strengthening its resilience and capacity to adapt to a climate-related health hazard (the proliferation of disease vectors after rain).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article provides specific data and describes programs that can serve as indicators to measure progress toward the identified targets.

   • Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

     • For Target 3.3: The article provides quantitative data that can be used as a proxy indicator for the incidence of the disease vector. It mentions “the first reported West Nile Virus-positive mosquito trap of the 2025 season,” “nine positive… traps during the 2024 season” in the county, and state-level data with “3,314 positive mosquito traps during the 2024 season” and “1,182” so far in 2025. Tracking the number of positive mosquito traps serves as a direct measure of the presence of the communicable disease in the environment and the effectiveness of control efforts.
     • For Target 3.d: The existence and detailed operation of the county’s mosquito surveillance program is an indicator of its capacity for early warning and risk management. The article describes the specific methods used (“CDC gravid-trapping method,” “BG-Sentinel trap”) and the purpose (“to monitor, prevent and combat mosquito populations and mosquito-borne illnesses”), which demonstrates a functional health emergency preparedness system, aligning with the spirit of Indicator 3.d.1 (International Health Regulations capacity).

   • Indicators for SDG 11 and 13 Targets

     • For Target 11.5 & 13.1: The implementation of a coordinated local strategy for disaster risk reduction is an implied indicator. The article outlines a multi-faceted plan involving surveillance (HCDS), public health communication (HCHD), and leadership endorsement (County Judge, Commissioner). The public awareness campaign (“the three Ds”) and the active monitoring program represent the adoption and implementation of a local disaster risk reduction strategy, which is the basis for Indicator 13.1.2. The goal of this strategy is to reduce the number of people affected, which relates to Indicator 11.5.1.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.3: End epidemics and combat communicable diseases. 3.d: Strengthen capacity for early warning and management of health risks.	– Number of positive West Nile Virus mosquito traps reported per season (e.g., 1 in 2025 vs. 9 in 2024 for Hays County). – Existence and operational description of a local mosquito surveillance and disease monitoring program using specific trapping methods (CDC gravid-trap, BG-Sentinel).
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.5: Reduce the number of people affected by disasters, including biological disasters.	– Implementation of public awareness campaigns (“the three Ds”) and preventative measures (draining standing water) to reduce community exposure and the number of potential human cases.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	– Implementation of a local government strategy (mosquito surveillance and control) in direct response to a climate-related hazard (increased mosquito breeding grounds after rainfall).

Source: hayscountytx.gov