DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) – Mosquitoes found in Delhi Township have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH).

Health officials say they found the mosquitoes on Foley Road, the first positive identification in Hamilton County Public Health’s jurisdiction. HCPH says they set traps throughout the county over the summer to test for the presence of the virus.

Hamilton County Health Department staff will conduct surveillance in residential and commercial areas near where the mosquitoes were collected. They will look for areas of standing water, apply larvicides, ensure swimming pools are operating properly, and advise residents on how to prevent mosquito bites.

“We can all do something to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” says Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Officer. “West Nile virus was first identified in Ohio in 2001, so it’s nothing new in our area, but we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to take precautions.”

Health authorities advise the public:

Drain

• Look for sources of standing water on your property and drain them – garbage, tires, buckets, flower pots, wading pools and similar items that cause standing water and can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Change the water in birdbaths and pet bowls frequently.
• Drain small puddles after heavy rains.

Immerse yourself

• Apply mosquito larvae killer, also called mosquito spray, to areas with standing water that cannot drain away. The sprays are environmentally friendly and do not harm pets. You can buy them at your local hardware store.

Protect

• Mow your lawn and trim bushes.
• Make sure that the fly screens on windows and doors close tightly and have no defects.
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants during peak mosquito season (dawn and dusk).
• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent, such as those containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon or eucalyptus oil. Always follow the directions on the package.

HCPH has created a comprehensive mosquito control guide for homeowners.

Health officials say 70 to 80 percent of people bitten by mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus do not become ill, but some may experience mild or severe symptoms. Symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after the bite.

Up to 20% of those infected experience symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph nodes or skin.

According to health officials, less than 1% of people bitten by infected mosquitoes develop severe symptoms. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, dizziness, disorientation, coma, tremors,

Less than one percent of people infected with WNV become seriously ill. Severe symptoms may include high fever, headache, stiff neck, dizziness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms may last for several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

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