ASHLAND – A pool of mosquitoes caught in a trap near Cahn Grove Park has tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to an Ohio Department of Health report.
The Ashland County-City Health Department received the report from the State on Aug. 9. This is the first positive test in the county this year. The positive sample was collected on July 25.
According to Pat Donaldson, director of environmental health for the department, the department sets traps at six locations throughout the county each week to monitor the mosquito population and to identify cases of West Nile Virus.
The Ashland County-City Health Department received a $42,200 mosquito control grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency this year to help fight the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile. Donaldson said the grant has allowed the department to hire an intern to help with collection and surveillance, and also gave them the funds for breeding ground reduction and public education.
The City of Ashland and other villages in Ashland County perform mosquito fogging and use larvicidal dunks to reduce the number of mosquitoes. Larvicidal dunks are mosquito control products placed in standing water which attacks mosquitoes in the larval stage but is safe to humans and other animals.
Donaldson said it’s important to be aware that West Nile is present but “it’s not time to run for the hills.”
West Nile Virus is usually transmitted to people by mosquito bites. The majority of people infected never show any symptoms but one in five will have headaches, muscle aches, fever, nausea or feel tired. About one in 150 will develop encephalitis or meningitis.
Preventative measures to protect yourself from West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Wear insect repellant containing DEET
- Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
- If you are outdoors at dusk or dawn, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks. Light-colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes.
- Eliminate standing water around your home, including buckets, unused flower pots and bird baths. Clean gutters and make sure they are draining properly.
For more information about mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus, visit the Ashland County-City Health Department’s webpage or Facebook page.
Residents can call the department at 419-282-4337 to obtain larvicidal dunks for use in standing water that can’t be emptied.
