COLUMBUS – Health officials have confirmed that the year’s first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pool has been found in the city.
The first reported West Nile mosquito pool was collected from Clintonville, which will be sprayed this coming Tuesday, Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said Friday.
“Residents can help our community by eliminating standing water such as bird baths and baby pools where mosquitoes lay their eggs,” she said.
Long says elimination of standing water is also critical in the prevention of the emerging Zika virus.
Residents should wear insect repellant and protective clothing at dawn or dusk and repair window screens to protect themselves.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals through bites from mosquitoes infected when they feed on infected birds, Long said.
Most people who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness but those 50 and over have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop serious symptoms. Long says recent data also shows people with diabetes or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.