West Nile virus detected in Cincinnati via mosquito samples

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DAISY. THANK YOU. AN ALERT FROM THE SPRINGDALE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TONIGHT AFTER SEVERAL MOSQUITOES TESTED POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE TESTING WAS DONE IN LATE JUNE IN THE GLENVIEW SUBDIVISION. THERE IN SPRINGDALE. WEST NILE USUALLY CAUSES ONLY MILD FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, BUT IN SEVERE CASES BRAIN SWELLING OR PARALYSIS IS POSSIBLE. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THERE IN SPRINGDALE, WANTS TO REMIND EVERYONE TO REMOVE STANDING WATER AND USE BUCKETS AND BIRD BATHS, COVER EXPOSED SKIN OR WEAR INSECT REPELLENT WHEN OUTDOORS. KEEP DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED AND

Health Department: West Nile Virus Detected in Cincinnati Through Mosquito Samples

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the Cincinnati area, health officials say. The Cincinnati Health Department said that through its regular and ongoing surveillance for mosquito-borne diseases, it collected mosquito samples in Bond Hill and Madisonville that tested positive for West Nile virus. Video above: West Nile virus identified in Springdale mosquito population, health officials say The health department said the samples were the first positive results so far this summer. The department’s Technical Environmental Services team is contacting all residents within a 0.5- and 1-mile radius to inform them that mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in the area and to provide them with information on how to protect themselves. The CHD said Cincinnati had 31 West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools last year, well above the average of three positive pools per year. However, no human infections were identified. The last confirmed case of West Nile virus infection in a Cincinnati resident was in 2012. “When we find West Nile virus in our local mosquito population, we recognize the potential for transmission to humans. That’s what we want to prevent,” Dr. Grant Mussman, the Cincinnati Health Commissioner, said in a statement. “We want to encourage Cincinnati residents to take some simple precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors.” Health officials recommend the following preventive measures: Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early morning). Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthanediol to clothing and exposed skin. Cover exposed skin with a hat, long sleeves and pants in areas where mosquitoes are particularly active, such as wooded areas. Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. There are several things that can be done to prevent mosquitoes from breeding near homes and to protect people from mosquito bites. Remove sources of standing water in your yard, such as saucers under flower pots, children’s toys, wheelbarrows, boats, tires, puddles, etc. Change the water in bird baths and outdoor pet bowls at least once a week to eliminate standing water. Keep your pool circulating, clean, and chlorinated, and remove any water that accumulates. Remove the pool cover. Empty and turn plastic wading pools or kiddie pools when not in use. Keep gutters clean to eliminate standing water. For questions or more information about West Nile virus or mosquitoes, contact the Cincinnati Health Department’s Technical Environmental Services Unit at 513-352-2922.

CINCINNATI —

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the Cincinnati area, health officials say.

The Cincinnati Health Department reported that through their regular and ongoing surveillance for mosquito-borne diseases, they collected mosquito samples in Bond Hill and Madisonville that tested positive for West Nile virus.

Video above: West Nile virus identified in mosquito population, Springdale health officials say

According to the health service, the samples are the first positive results so far this summer.

The department’s Technical Environmental Services team is contacting all residents within a 0.5 to 1.5 kilometer radius to inform them that mosquitoes have been found in the area that have tested positive for West Nile virus and to provide them with information on how to protect themselves.

The CHD said Cincinnati had 31 West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools last year, well above the average of three positive pools per year. However, no human infections were detected. The last confirmed case of West Nile virus infection in a Cincinnati resident was in 2012.

“When we find West Nile virus in our local mosquito population, we recognize the danger of it being transmitted to people. That’s what we want to prevent,” Dr. Grant Mussman, the commissioner of the Cincinnati Health Department, said in a statement. “We want to encourage Cincinnati residents to take some simple precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors.”

Health officials recommend the following preventive measures:

  • Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, between sunset and sunrise, and early morning);
  • Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthanediol to clothing and bare skin;
  • Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves, and long pants in areas where mosquitoes are particularly active, such as wooded areas;
  • Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

There are several things you can do to prevent mosquitoes from breeding near homes and to protect people from mosquito bites.

  • Remove sources of standing water in your yard, such as saucers under flower pots, children’s toys, wheelbarrows, boats, tires, puddles, etc.
  • Change the water in bird baths and outdoor pet bowls at least once a week to remove standing water.
  • Make sure the pool water is circulating, clean and chlorinated. Remove any water that collects on the pool cover.
  • Empty plastic paddling pools or children’s pools and turn them upside down when not in use.
  • Keep gutters clean to prevent standing water.

For questions or more information about West Nile virus or mosquitoes, contact the Cincinnati Health Department’s Technical Environmental Services Unit at 513-352-2922.

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