West Nile Virus Found in Fairfield County

Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Lancaster) – The Fairfield County Health Department (FCHD) has identified the first pool of mosquitoes collected by the department this year that were carrying West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes were collected in traps set by the department in Carroll, Thurston and Stoutsville, during routine monitoring. 

These areas contract with FCHD for mosquito control. Carroll was sprayed to control adult mosquitoes on July 14th, and is scheduled for another spraying on July 22nd. Stoutsville was sprayed to control adult mosquitoes on July 13th, and is scheduled for another spraying on July 21st. Thurston will be sprayed on July 23rd. 

Health Commissioner, Joe Ebel, reports that West Nile virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines or medicines to prevent West Nile, so the best way to prevent West Nile is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Here are some tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Use EPA-registered repellents when going outdoors according to label instructions
• Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors
• Consider avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours
• Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with an EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection
• Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks, and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing or gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin
• Mosquito-proof your home:
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside
• Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water on a regular basis from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and bird baths

For more information about the Fairfield County Health Department’s mosquito control program visit https://www.fairfieldhealth.org/FDH-Vector-Control.html