Columbus Public Health Confirms First Case of West Nile in Columbus 10.7.2016
Press
Release
October 7,
2016
Contact
Jose
Rodriguez 604-5025
[email protected]
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Columbus
Public Health Confirms First Case of West Nile in Columbus
Residents
Asked to Continue to Protect Themselves from Mosquitoes
Columbus
Public Health (CPH) has confirmed the first case of West Nile virus in a local
71-year-old male who is hospitalized and ill.
With the
announcement, Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long also reminded
residents that mosquitoes are still active even though it’s fall. “The cooler
temperatures predicted for this weekend could slow mosquitoes down, but they
likely will still be around until the first frost so it’s important to protect
yourself.”
Residents can
help prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellant with DEET, wearing
protective clothing at dawn or dusk, repairing window screens, and getting rid
of standing water such as bird baths, rain barrels and baby pools.
CPH practices
disease control and prevention for the West Nile virus by trapping mosquitoes,
investigating complaints, treating standing water, and spraying in areas with
high mosquito counts and disease presence.
Symptoms
of West Nile are similar to the flu, including fever, headache, body aches,
skin rash and swollen glands. Severe West Nile Disease can also cause
stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and
paralysis. Anyone with these symptoms should consult their doctor
immediately.
For more
information on West Nile, visit publichealth.columbus.gov,
cdc.gov, and epa.gov.
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