West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in Delhi Township

DELHI TWP., Ohio – Insects infected with a viral disease have been identified in a nearby town.

According to a press release from Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH), mosquitoes recently caught on Foley Road in Delhi Township tested positive for West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is a viral disease of the central nervous system that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

HCPH routinely sets traps throughout the county during the summer to test for the disease. While this is the first positive case in HCPH's jurisdiction, other positive cases have been identified throughout the county.

HCPH staff will apply larvicides in residential and commercial areas surrounding the locations where the infected mosquitoes were collected.

“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.”

How to protect yourself from the West Nile virus:

DRAINAGE

• 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.

DUNK

• 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.

For more information about West Nile virus, contact Hamilton County Public Health at 513-946-7800.