MANSFIELD — West Nile virus infected mosquitoes have been detected in traps in Richland County according to public health officials at Richland Public Health
“We have just received a positive West Nile virus detection from a mosquito pool (caught in a traps) in Richland County,” said Joe Harrod, Director of Environmental Health at Richland Public Health. “To be very clear, this is not a case of human infection but our first positive test this year of mosquitoes carrying the virus.”
Richland County had its last positive report of West Nile virus in June of 2015. Richland Public Health’s Mosquito Control program sprays for mosquitoes in contracted areas, Monday through Friday. The area where the infected mosquito population was trapped has already received additional spraying and surveillance.
Richland Public Health officials are encouraging Richland County residents to take precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:
To eliminate mosquito breeding sites near your home:
Recycle all unused tires or make sure they are not holding water. Each tire can become a breeding ground of mosquitoes.
Eliminate water-holding containers, such as tin cans and unused flowerpots, from your property.
Eliminate or drain areas on your property where standing water lasts more than seven days.
Make sure all roof gutters are clean and drain properly.
Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. When not in use drain water from pool covers.
Change water in birdbaths weekly.
Change water in kiddie pools regularly and eliminate standing water that collects around the edges of the pools.
To avoid possible mosquito bites:
While mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, the mosquitoes known to cause California La Crosse encephalitis/meningitis and Zika virus also bite during the daylight hours. However, only the West Nile virus has been found in local mosquitoes.
When outdoors, be sure to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes, and socks. Light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes.
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil and follow label directions especially when applying to young children; usually a concentration of 30 percent DEET for adults and 10 percent or less for children.
What is WNV?
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that, in extreme cases, can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or death. However, human symptoms are generally mild and often mimic the flu. Even in areas while WNV has been reported, less than 1 percent of mosquitoes are infected and only about one in every 150 people bitten by an infected mosquito will become severely ill.
How is WNV spread?
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread from person-to-person. Once a mosquito is infected, it may transmit the virus to people or animals by biting them. Horses are among the animals most prone to WNV infection.
Anyone bitten by an infected mosquito can get an infection. Symptoms, which may occur five to 15 days after a bite, are usually mild illnesses that include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and tiredness although cases can be more severe.
For more information on mosquito control, check the Richland Public Health website at richlandhealth.org and click on mosquito information under “Personal Health” or call 419-774-4520.
Spray Schedule
Next week’s spray schedule in Richland County includes:
Wednesday, Sept. 7: Mansfield Christian and Mansfield City
Thursday, Sept. 8: Blooming Grove Twp
Friday, Sept. 9: Weller Twp and Oakwood Crossing
