Mosquito Spraying Begins to Protect Residents' Health -- 6.25.2010
COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH – Press Release
FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010
Columbus Public Health Begins Mosquito Spraying to Protect Residents’ Health
Killing Adult Mosquitoes throughout Summer Helps Prevent West Nile Virus
Columbus Public Health will spray several area neighborhoods for mosquitoes beginning Monday June 28, a few days earlier than previous years due to high mosquito counts. Weekly spraying will continue in area parks, bike paths and neighborhoods through early September.
“Columbus Public Health practices disease control and prevention for the West Nile virus by spraying in areas with high mosquito counts,” says Dr. Teresa Long, health commissioner.
For the convenience of residents, Columbus Public Health sprays between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., using the least toxic chemicals available. Weekly spraying areas are determined by mosquito trap results and reports from field staff, the number and type of mosquitoes trapped, the number of infected mosquitoes and evidence of human disease. Updated weekly schedules and spraying maps will be available on the Columbus Public Health Web site.
Spraying helps prevent the West Nile Virus, an illness caused by infected mosquitoes that carry the disease from infected birds to people. While not all mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus, an infected mosquito can cause illness. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will never develop symptoms or become sick, but people 50 or older or those with weakened immune symptoms are at greatest risk.
Residents can also help prevent West Nile by wearing insect repellant with DEET, eliminating standing water (bird baths, gutters, etc.), staying indoors or wearing long sleeves and pants during early morning and late evening hours, and checking and repairing window screens.
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.
For more information on the West Nile Virus, as well as weekly maps and schedules, visit the Columbus Public Health Web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov. Additional information on West Nile is also available at www.cdc.gov and www.epa.gov.
The following Columbus and Worthington areas will be fogged on Monday, June 28:
- North Campus – North – E North Broadway; West – Maize Rd/Pontiac St; South – E Weber Rd; East – McGuffy Rd
- Worthington – North – Park Overlook Dr/Colonial Ave; West – Greenwich St; South – N Selby Ave; East – Indianola
- Clintonville – North – Glenmont Ave; West – N High St/Milton Ave; South – Winthrop Rd/Glencoe Rd; East – Granden Rd/Sharon Ave
- Clintonville – North – E Cooke Ave; West – Maize Rd; South – Acton Rd; East – Karl Rd
The following Columbus areas will be fogged on Tuesday, June 29:
- South East: North – Southgate Dr; West – S High St; South – Williams Rd; East – Parsons Ave
- South East: North – Watkins Rd; West – Watkins Rd/New World Dr; South – Creekway Dr/Proclamation Wy; East – Alum Creek Dr/Roll Call Dr
The following Columbus city parks and areas will be fogged on July 1-2:
- Dodge Park
- Helsel Park
- Brittany Hills Park
- Glenwood Park
- Lou Berliner Park
- Elk Run Park
- Maloney Park
- Holton Park
- McCoy Park
- Mock Park
- Lindberg Park
- Anheuser Busch Sports Park
- Schiller Park
- Rhodes Park
- Cherry Bottom Park
- Como Park
- Antrim Park
- Stockbridge Park
- Riverbend Park
- Goodale Park
- Woodward Park
- Sills Park
- Westgate Park
- Krumm Park
- Westmoor Park
- Franklin Park
- Innis Park
- Berwick Park
- McKinley Park
- Nelson Park
- Iuka Park
- Natzger Park
- Green Countrie Park
- Big Walnut Park
- Tuttle Park
- Smith Farms Park
- Alum Crest Park
- Johnson Memorial Park
- Huy Road Park
- Portman Park
- Spangler Park
- Kraner Park
- Linden Park
- Stonebridge Park
- Scioto Audubon Metro Park
- Deshler Park
- Griggs Reservoir Park
- Willow Creek Park
- Old City Garage Area
- Driving Park
- Big Run Park
- Wolfe Park
- Fairwood Park
- Marion Franklin Park
- Cooper Park
- East bike path from Wolfe Park to 5th Ave
- South bike path from Whittier to Frank Rd.
- Bike path north of Park of Roses to S.R. 270
- Bike path along 670