Trapping and testing of mosquitoes in Knox County have resulted in the positive identification of West Nile Virus in Knox County. Knox Public Health received notification of the positive results from the Ohio Department of Health.
The positive sample was collected in Danville.
Knox County joins 13 other Ohio counties with positive WNV activity including neighboring Delaware county. As of Monday, ODH and local health departments have placed traps in 40 counties this summer, collecting nearly 3,947 samples of which over 137,591 mosquitoes were tested. As a result of the positive collections, there has been one report of West Nile Virus in humans.
Nate Overholt, Environmental Health Director with the Knox Public Health said the agency “will conduct pesticide spraying in the areas where the positive mosquitoes were trapped.” The environmental health staff will also treat areas of standing water with larvacide to help reduce the mosquito population.
WNV is spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito, which gets the virus from biting an infected bird. The virus can cause an infection in humans that can lead to encephalitis. In Ohio, West Nile virus infection can occur anytime during mosquito season, which typically runs from May through October. Most human cases are reported in July through October.
Most people who become infected with WNV do not have any symptoms. About one in five people who become infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than one percent of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection, and care is based on symptoms.
Overholt urged local residents to take personal measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Those measures include using insect repellent containing DEET or other EPA approved repellents and emptying water-holding containers such as plant saucers, outdoor toys, old tires, and other items around your home. Mosquitoes need just a small amount of water to lay their eggs which hatch in just a day or two.
“Mosquitoes are likely to be biting between dusk and dawn,” said Overholt. “If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Also, wear light colors. They are less attractive to mosquitoes.”
Knox Public Health sprayed for mosquitos on July 23 in Danville.
For more information about West Nile Virus visit odh.ohio.gov or Knox Health.com. To stay up to date on public health topics follow Knox Public Health on Facebook, Instagram or X @KnoxHealth.
