search
Donate

News

Health officials say there are no human cases, but they have detected West Nile Virus in Vinton County

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to

MCARTHUR, Ohio (WOUB) — Health officials in Vinton County say they have detected West Nile Virus in the Clinton Township.

A mosquito has landed on a person's arm
[AP]
According to a press release from the Vinton County Health Department, no human cases have been reported but a positive West Nile Virus mosquito pool was confirmed in the township by the Ohio Department of Health.

The sample was collected on July 11 in Clinton as part of the regular surveillance activities of the health department.

Two mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile Virus last summer.

The Environmental Health Division is scheduled to treat the area near South Elementary School.

Residents are encouraged to eliminate potential breeding sites for mosquitoes around their homes, such as standing pools of water.

People who become infected with West Nile Virus develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

The health department has the following tips you can follow to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Use EPA-registered repellents according to label instructions.

  • Wear long sleeves, long pants and long socks when outdoors.

  • Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with an EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection.

  • Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing or gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin.

  • Mosquito-proof your home: Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.

  • Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water on a regular basis from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths.

More information can be found at the Vinton County Health Department’s website. You can also stop in at the health department’s headquarters to pick up cans of mosquito repellent spray.