DUBLIN – Just ahead of one of Dublin’s biggest weekend events of the year, the entire city will be treated to a dose of bug spray after mosquito traps tested positive for the West Nile virus.
City officials say the traps, which are set weekly throughout the city, confirmed positive West Nile virus in three areas: South of S.R. 161/Post Road, west of I-270 and south of Rings Road; east and south of I-270 between Tuttle Crossing and Martin Road, and east of Riverside Drive as far as Sawmill Road and south to I-270.
Spraying by crews from Franklin County Public Health is scheduled for the central, west and east sections of the city on Monday and for the north and northeast sides on Tuesday. All spraying is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting, said Lindsay Weisenauer, the city’s senior public information officer.
The Dublin Irish Festival is scheduled for the weekend of July 31- August 2.
This is the first West Nile Virus found in Dublin mosquitoes so far this summer but it is not unexpected to encounter it and it historically begins to show up this time of the year, said Weisenhauer. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Ohio since 2012.
Residents are being reminded to wear insect repellant containing DEET, limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and eliminate all standing water around homes where mosquitoes breed.
West Nile virus can be transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms include mild fever, headache and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Eighty percent of people bitten by an infected mosquito will not show any symptoms at all.
To report problem areas in their neighborhoods, residents can call (614)525-BITE (2483).