For Immediate Release..... A Message from the Warren County Health District on the West Nile Virus

The Warren County Health District (WCHD), in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, has identified 29 positive West Nile virus samples during the mosquito trapping season as of August 10, 2018. Additionally, there have been 429,516 mosquitoes submitted and 1,498 positive West Nile virus sample pools found statewide.

As youth sporting events begin it’s important that participants and spectators alike take proper precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions include wearing long sleeves and applying an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – registered mosquito repellent to reduce the likelihood of a bite. Spaces with the potential for large crowds such as parks, sports stadiums, and concert venues may require extra measures to reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes by routinely emptying out trash containers and removing other features (rimless tires, areas with low elevation, refuse, etc.) that could serve as sites for water to accumulate.

West Nile virus can cause potentially serious illness and is present in many counties in Ohio, including Warren County. The WCHD remains proactive in treating standing water in public areas with an environmentally safe larvicide and by trapping mosquitoes and having them tested by the Ohio Department of Health for the presence of WNV. The public can minimize the number of mosquitoes and reduce their risk of being bitten by following the tips below:

• Make sure that doors and windows have tightfitting screens.
• Repair or replace all torn screens in your home.
• Remove all discarded tires from your property.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep empty and covered when not in use. ? Drain water from pool covers.
• Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, and wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use.
• Clean ditches of obstructions so they drain properly. ? Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
• Check trees for cavities that hold water and fill them with soil, gravel, or sand.
• Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
• Use insect repellant containing DEET at a concentration of at least 30% and follow the label directions.

An interactive map of the areas of the county that have had pools of mosquitos test positive for West Nile Virus in Warren County is available at http://warrenchd.com/environmental/mosquito-surveillance. For more information, please visit our website at www.warrenchd.com or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WCCHD.Ohio.

WCHD West Nile virus Media Release 08-13-18