West Nile Virus found in some local mosquitoes, residents advised to take precautionary steps
West Nile Virus has been detected in some local mosquitos, according to the Hamilton County Public Health Department.
Mosquitoes recently trapped at the Columbia Township compost facility on Hill and Dale Drive tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The virus, which impacts the central nervous system, can be passed from mosquitoes to humans.
The health department states that a majority of people, about 70 to 80 percent, who are bitten by an infected mosquito will never become sick. For those who become ill, symptoms may develop two to 14 days after the insect bite.
Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.
Less than one percent of people infected with the virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
While all residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk by the health department, people over age 50 have the highest risk of developing severe West Nile Virus infections.
Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation.
Hamilton County Public Health staff will be conducting surveillance activities in the neighborhoods and commercial areas around where the mosquitoes were collected.
“We can all take action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said. “West Nile was first identified in Ohio in 2001, so it’s not new to our area, but we like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to take precautions.”
Residents are asked to take precautionary measures to protect themselves, including looking for and draining sources of standing water along with their property that could become mosquito breeding sites.
Frequently changing the water in birdbaths and pet bowls and draining small puddles after heavy rainstorms are significant steps.
Residents can apply mosquito larvicide, sometimes called mosquito “dunks,” to areas of standing water that cannot be drained. The “dunks” are environmentally safe, won’t harm pets, and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
The department also advises individuals to cut their grass, trim shrubbery, make sure screens in windows and doors are tight-fitting, and wear long-sleeves during dawn and dusk, the peak mosquito hours.
For more information on West Nile Virus, please contact Hamilton County Public Health at (513) 946-7800 or visit their website at www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org.