Columbus Public Health Confirms First Mosquito Pool Positive for West Nile Virus.
Press
Release
July 22,
2016
Contact
Jose
Rodriguez, Columbus Public Health, 604-5025, [email protected]
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Columbus Public Health Confirms First Mosquito Pool
Positive for West Nile Virus
Health Commissioner Urges Residents to Practice
Prevention and Help Eliminate Standing Water
Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa C. Long, today confirmed the
presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a mosquito trap. This is the first
reported WNV mosquito pool found in the city of Columbus limits this season.
The positive pool was collected from the Clintonville neighborhood which will
be sprayed this coming Tuesday.
"These positive results are a reminder of the importance of taking
precautions to protect ourselves from mosquito exposure," Dr. Long
said.
"Residents
can help our community by eliminating standing water such as bird baths and
baby pools where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Using insect repellant, wearing
protective clothing at dawn or dusk, repairing window screens, are important
ways we can all protect ourselves.”
Elimination of standing water
is also critical in the prevention of the emerging Zika virus.
WNV is transmitted to humans and
animals through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on
infected birds.
Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness.
Individuals 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and
are more likely to develop serious symptoms when infected with WNV. Recent data
also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk
for serious illness. Symptoms of West Nile Virus are similar to the flu,
including fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen glands.
People with these symptoms should consult their doctor.
To avoid possible
infection from mosquito bites: Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes
are most active; if you must be outdoors, be sure to wear long pants,
long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Light colors are least attractive to
mosquitoes. Use insect repellent and follow the label directions.
To eliminate
mosquito breeding sites near your home: Remove all discarded tires and other water-holding containers,
such as tin cans and unused flower pots, from your property. Eliminate standing
water from your property. Make sure all roof gutters are clean and properly
draining. Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them
empty when not in use and drain water from pool covers. Change water in bird
baths weekly.
For
more information on the West Nile Virus, as well as weekly fogging schedules,
visit the Columbus Public Health Web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov. For information about Zika,
please visit us
here. Additional information on West Nile is also available at www.cdc.gov
and www.epa.gov
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