Third pool of Ross County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·1 min read

CHILLICOTHE − A pool of mosquitoes captured from Park Street in Chillicothe has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The 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.

This is the third positive result for West Nile Virus in Ross County mosquitoes this season. No human cases have been reported.

It is not uncommon for a mosquito to test positive for West Nile Virus. The Ross County Health District recommends the following actions to help protect the community from mosquito bites and reduce the mosquito population:

  • 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.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eight out of ten individuals infected with the WNV, will not exhibit symptoms. But, about one in five 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.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Third pool of Ross County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus