Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio —

The West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Hamilton County for the first time this year.

While it's the first positive identification in the Hamilton County Public Health's jurisdiction, other positive pools have been identified elsewhere in the county.

Hamilton County officials are reminding residents to take precautions.

That sample was collected recently at the Columbia Township compost facility on Hill and Dale Drive.

West Nile virus is a viral disease that can be passed from mosquitoes to humans.

Hamilton County Public Health uses traps throughout the county during the summer to test for the presence of disease.

Hamilton County Public Health staff will be conducting surveillance activities in the neighborhoods and commercial areas around where the mosquitoes were collected. They will be looking for areas of standing water, applying larvicide, making sure swimming pools are operating properly and advising residents on precautions they can take to avoid mosquito bites.

“We can all take action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner said. “West Nile was first identified in Ohio in 2001, so it’s not new to our area, but we like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to take precautions.”

Health officials recommend the following preventive measures:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn, and early morning);
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
• Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home.