Greene County Public Health officials announced Friday that mosquitoes in Beaver Creek and Bellbrook have tested positive for West Nile virus.
GCPH has received notification from the Ohio Department of Health that West Nile virus has been detected in three mosquito samples sent to the Department of Health. Mosquito samples were collected at Bellbrook in the Ryder Court area and Beaver Creek in the Edith Murray Drive area.
Weather permitting, Greene County Public Health’s Environmental Health Mosquito Control Team plans to treat the sites Monday with an adulticide, a type of insecticide used to kill adult mosquitoes. GCPH will also continue to monitor mosquitoes in the surrounding area.
The Public Health Service said Friday that staff have been catching mosquitoes since June and will continue through October, focusing on populated areas.
According to Public Health, West Nile virus is the virus most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes and can cause severe fever, encephalitis, or meningitis (an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord). In severe cases it can be life threatening.
Greene County last tested positive for West Nile virus in August 2017, said GCPH spokeswoman Laurie Fox. Before that, the time between incidents was even longer.
“This is the first West Nile infection in humans since 2006 in Greene County,” Fox said.
The effects of viruses on people’s health vary, and some people are unaware that they have the virus.
“Most people who are infected don’t even have symptoms,” says Fox.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about eight in 10 people who become infected do not develop symptoms.
If you have symptoms, more common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and fatigue.
The main vector in Ohio is the northern mosquito Culex pipiens. Mosquitoes can become infected by eating infected birds and then spread the virus through bites by humans or other animals, according to the health department.
Greene County Public Health and Environmental Health Service Director Jeff Webb calls on everyone to be aware of their exposure to mosquitoes and how to protect themselves.
- Eliminates standing puddles such as bird baths, gutters, old tires, unused pools, boats and buckets.
- Avoid shaded areas where mosquitoes may rest.
- Limit outdoor activities in the evening.
- Wear protective clothing such as light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use repellents (repellents containing DEET are very effective, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations).
The best way to protect yourself from West Nile virus is to avoid getting it, Fox said. “Overall, prevention is key.”
Public health officials will continue to monitor mosquitoes by checking for stagnant water, spraying with larvae, trapping and testing mosquitoes, and applying adult drugs as needed.
For more information on mosquito control or to contact Environmental Health Services, call 937-374-5661 or email [email protected].
