More West Nile mosquitoes found in Ross County
CHILLICOTHE ― A second pool of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile virus in Ross County.
The mosquitos that tested positive were from Green Township. The first set of mosquitos that tested positive for West Nile virus were from Scioto Township. No human cases have been reported.
This confirmation was received by Ross County Health District’s Director of Environmental Health Kelly Spindler and Health Commissioner Janelle McManis by the Ohio Department of Health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eight out of ten individuals infected with the virus will not exhibit symptoms.
About one in five people will develop symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or skin rash. The symptoms can last for several days to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus develop severe symptoms including convulsions, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis and possibly death.
People over 60 years of age and those with chronic health problems are at higher risk of severe illness. There is no vaccine for West Nile virus and no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. While not all mosquitoes carry this virus, the type of mosquito that spreads this virus is found throughout Ross County.
The Ross County Health District urges everyone to take the following actions to stay healthy and bite-free:
Dump out standing water around the home weekly.
Dress in long pants and long sleeves whenever possible.
Defend by using insect repellent containing any one of the following CDC-recommended ingredients: Picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535.
Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County West Nile mosquitoes found in Green Township
