RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story.
West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos located in Jackson Township (Richland County) according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio Department of Health officials notified Richland Public Health officials of the detection but say this is not a case of a human infection.
“To be very clear, this is not a human infection case, but the first positive WNV mosquito samples in Richland County this year,” said Joe Harrod, Director of Environmental Health at Richland Public Health.
Health department officials plan to spray the positive areas in Jackson Township to discourage the transmittal of the West Nile Virus.
Richland County health officials offer more into on the West Nile and the effects it can cause on their website. Below is a list of tips to follow to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses.
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting 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. If not in use, keep pools/saunas empty and covered.
- Drain water from pool covers.
- Change the water in birdbaths 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 repellent and follow the label directions.
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