West Nile Virus Found In Northeast Ohio Mosquitoes

KENT, OH — A pool of mosquitoes collected by the Ohio Department of Health tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), the Kent City Health Department announced this week. There have been no confirmed cases of humans being infected by the virus.

"This is a confirmation that the WNV threat is in the area and will persist for the remainder of the summer," Kent Health Department officials said in a press release. Last year, there were several confirmed cases of WNV in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake and Lorain counties.

As of August 1, there had been no confirmed human cases of WNV in the state, the Ohio Department of Health said. However, there have been 34 collections of mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus.

The state department of health sets up and collects pools of mosquitoes — a mosquito trap that brings in about 50 bugs — and tests the mosquitoes for WNV and other viruses.

Most people infected by WNV will have no symptoms. About one in five persons that come in contact with the virus will develop a high fever and other illnesses. Less than 1-percent of the people who become infected with WNV will develop a serious neurological illness.

"If you're going to be spending time outside, you need to be thinking about prevention and protection," said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. "Taking simple precautions can prevent potentially serious diseases caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes."

The Ohio Department of Health recommends residents follow simple steps to make themselves less attractive to insects. Here's how to limit exposure to mosquitoes.

• Wear light-colored clothes, socks, long sleeves and long pants when going outdoors (even if it is hot).
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents when going outdoors. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Consider spraying your clothes with the repellent, since mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing.
• Try to avoid peak mosquito biting hours
• "Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks, and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing or gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin," the ODH said.