Scioto County health officials say three mosquito samples collected in the southeastern part of the county tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The Scioto County Health Department said it has been conducting mosquito surveillance at various locations throughout the county. The department recently received notice from the Ohio Department of Health Zoonotic Disease Program and ODH Laboratory that three pooled mosquito samples collected on August 27 and 28 tested positive for West Nile Virus.
A “pooled sample” means multiple mosquitoes were collected in one vial. At least one mosquito in those samples tested positive for the virus.
Health officials said there are no positive human cases in Scioto County at this time.
After receiving the results, the Scioto County Health Department increased surveillance in the area and began working with property owners to remove or treat mosquito breeding sites.
West Nile Virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Those mosquitoes can then spread the virus to people and animals when they bite.
The northern house mosquito, also known as Culex pipiens, is the mosquito that carries West Nile Virus.
Most people infected with West Nile do not become seriously ill, but the virus can cause fever, body aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or fatigue. In rare cases, it can lead to serious illness affecting the brain or nervous system.
Health officials say the best protection is avoiding mosquito bites.
Use EPA-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants when possible, and take steps to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Residents should use window and door screens, repair holes in screens, and use air conditioning when available.
People should also dump standing water around their homes at least once a week.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, including buckets, tires, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and trash cans.
Health officials recommend emptying, scrubbing, turning over, covering, or throwing out anything that holds water.
For children, adults should always follow label instructions when applying insect repellent. Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should not be used on children under 3 years old.
Adults should also avoid applying repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. Instead, spray repellent onto an adult’s hands first and then apply it carefully to the child’s face.
The bottom line: West Nile has been found in local mosquitoes, but no human cases have been reported in Scioto County.
Now is the time to dump standing water, use repellent, and keep mosquitoes from turning your yard into a breeding ground.
