COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus health officials have confirmed two pools of mosquitoes on the South Side have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first positive pools reported inside Columbus city limits this season.
The positive tests were collected between Alum Creek Drive and Three Creeks Metro Park, south of Watkins Road and north of Williams Road, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long announced.
A second group was collected in South Columbus between Hamilton Road and Courtright Road, south of I-70 and north of Kimberly Parkway, she said.
Columbus Public Health will spray the affected areas on Wednesday to help control disease:
Southeast Columbus: North Boundary – Watkins Rd., East Boundary – Alum Creek, South Boundary – Williams Rd., West Boundary – New World Dr.
North Boundary – I-70, East Boundary – Hamilton Rd., South Boundary – Kimberly Pkwy, West Boundary – Courtright Rd.
“Residents can protect themselves by using insect repellant, wearing protective clothing at dawn or dusk, repairing window screens, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs such as bird baths and baby pools,” Long said.
To avoid possible infection from mosquito bites: Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active; if you must be outdoors, be sure to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Light colors are least attractive to mosquitoes. Use insect repellent and follow the label directions.
To eliminate mosquito breeding sites near your home: Remove all discarded tires and other water-holding containers, such as tin cans and unused flower pots, from your property. Eliminate standing water from your property. Make sure all roof gutters are clean and properly draining. Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty when not in use and drain water from pool covers. Change water in bird baths weekly.