West Nile Virus Detected in Two Ross County Mosquito Pools
Chillicothe, OH – Two mosquito pools in Ross County have tested positive for West Nile virus. One positive pool was identified in Green Township, and one was identified in Union Township. Ross County Health District Director of Environmental Health Kelly Spindler received confirmation of the results. These are the first positive West Nile virus results in Ross County mosquitoes this season. No human cases have been reported.
It is not uncommon for mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus during mosquito season. West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Most West Nile virus transmissions occur in Ohio through the bite of an infected northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens. These mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn and often breed in standing or stagnant water, including storm drains, ditches, unmaintained swimming pools, bird baths, buckets, flowerpots, clogged gutters, tires, and other containers that collect water.
Most people who get West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five people may develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, nausea, or rash. In rare cases, West Nile virus can cause severe illness. People over age 60 and individuals with certain chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.
There is no vaccine to prevent West Nile virus and no specific medicine to treat it. The best way to reduce risk is to prevent mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding areas around homes and communities. The Ross County Health District recommends the following steps to help prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito populations:
- Dress in long pants and long sleeves whenever possible. Exercise caution when outdoors in times of high mosquito activity, such as dusk and dawn.
- Dump outstanding water around the home weekly.
- Defend by using insect repellent containing any one of the following EPA-approved ingredients: Picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535. Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin (do not spray directly on skin).
The Ross County Health District is evaluating the need for additional surveillance, public education, larviciding (treatment of mosquito breeding grounds), and adult mosquito spraying near the positive pool sites. Mosquito larvicide tablets are available at the Ross County Health District on a first come first serve basis for use in standing water that cannot be dumped.
More information:
West Nile Virus | Ohio Department of Health
Mosquito Control – Ross County Health District
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About the Ross County Health District
The Ross County Health District (RCHD), founded in 1979, is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board that works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Ross County. RCHD is governed by a seven-member board of health and consists of six divisions: Administration, Child and Family Health, Environmental Health, Health Promotion and Quality Improvement, Public Health Nursing, and WIC. Learn more about the Ross County Health District at RossCountyHealth.org. For more information, please contact Sara Smith at sksmith@RossCountyHealth.org