Recent Testing Finds Mosquitoes Positive for West Nile
What Is West Nile Virus (WNV)?
Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County’s Mosquito and Vector Disease Control program protects our community from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV). Through regular trapping and species identification, the local mosquito population is monitored, tested, and controlled.
WNV is a potentially serious illness that is most commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms generally appear 3 – 14 days after being bitten. Mark Case, Director of Environmental Health explains, “We find West Nile present in the mosquito population every year in our community, the best defense against the virus is to remove their breeding grounds and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”
What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?
Public Health encourages everyone to reduce the risks of mosquito bites by following the suggestions below:
• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Eliminate breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
What Are the Symptoms of WNV?
Approximately 80% of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. Up to 20% of those infected have mild symptoms such as fever, body aches, and swollen glands. Symptoms can last a few days, though in some cases, they may last for several weeks.
About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. If you are experiencing any of these severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Am I at Risk for WNV?
Everyone exposed to mosquitoes is at risk for WNV. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites. If you spend a lot of time outside, either working or playing, your chance of being bitten is greater. Public Health encourages everyone to be physically active and enjoy the outdoors, but to always take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
For more information contact Public Health at (937)-225-4362.
Additional Resources
Mosquito and Vector Disease Control
Insect Repellents
The Ohio Department of Transportation is Working for Winter to ensure that Ohio’s economic engine never stops running, even when snow and ice blanket our state.