West Nile Virus Detected in Ross County Mosquito Pools
Article Presented By The Bean Foundation…
(Chillicothe) – Mosquito pools from Concord and Green Townships and the city of Chillicothe have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This confirmation was received by Ross County Health District’s Director of Environmental Health, Kelly Spindler, and Health Commissioner Janelle McManis. These are the first positive results of West Nile Virus in Ross County mosquitoes this season. No human cases have been reported.
It is not uncommon for a mosquito to test positive for West Nile Virus. The Ross County Health District recommends the following actions to help protect the community from mosquito bites and reduce the mosquito population:
- Dump out standing water around the home weekly.
- Dress in long pants and long sleeves whenever possible. Exercise caution when outdoors in times of high mosquito activity, such as dusk and dawn.
- Defend by using insect repellent containing any one of the following EPA-approved ingredients: Picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535.
About West Nile Virus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eight out of ten individuals infected with WNV, will not exhibit symptoms. However, about one in five will develop symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or skin rash. The symptoms can last for several days to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus develop severe symptoms. People over 60 years of age and those with chronic health problems are at higher risk of severe illness. There is no vaccine for West Nile virus and no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. While not all mosquitoes carry this virus, the type of mosquito that spreads this virus is found throughout Ross County.
