First pool of mosquitoes tests positive for West Nile Virus this season in Ross County

Ross County Health District’s Director of Environmental Health, Kelly Spindler, and Health Commissioner, Janelle McManis, announced Thursday that the first group of mosquitoes to test positive in Ross County for West Nile Virus has been confirmed by the Ohio Department of Health.

The WNV-positive pool of mosquitoes was captured in Scioto Township. No human cases have been reported.

The Ross County Health District urges everyone to take the following actions to stay healthy and bite-free:

1. Dump out standing water around the home weekly.

2. Dress in long pants and long sleeves whenever possible.

3. Defend by using insect repellent containing any one of the following CDC-recommended ingredients: Picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD) or IR3535.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eight out of 10 individuals infected with the WNV will not exhibit symptoms. But, about one in five will develop symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or skin rash. The symptoms can last for several days to months.

One in 150 people infected with the virus develop severe symptoms including convulsions, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis and possibly death. People over 60 years of age and those with chronic health problems are at higher risk of severe illness.

There is no vaccine for West Nile virus and no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. While not all mosquitoes carry this virus, the type of mosquito that spreads this virus is found throughout Ross County.