CAREY, OH -- Wyandot County Public Health (WCPH), in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, has identified 1 positive West Nile virus (WNV) sample during the mosquito trapping season as of Aug. 2, 2023. The WNV positive sample was collected on July 20, 2023, near the water treatment plant in Carey, Ohio. This is the first positive sample identified in Wyandot County during the 2023 mosquito collection season.
As end of summer festivals, youth sporting events, and other outdoor activities begin, it is important that participants and spectators alike take proper precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions include wearing long sleeves and applying an Environmental Protection Agency–registered mosquito repellent containing DEET at a concentration of at least 30% to reduce the likelihood of a bite. Spaces with the potential for large crowds such as parks, sports stadiums, and other large gathering places may require extra measures to reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes by routinely emptying out trash containers and removing or fixing areas that collect water that could serve as sites for mosquitos to populate.
WNV can cause potentially serious illness and is present in many counties in Ohio, including Wyandot County. WCPH remains proactive in trapping mosquitoes and having them tested by the Ohio Department of Health for the presence of WNV. The public can minimize the number of mosquitoes and reduce their risk of being bitten by following these tips:
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all torn screens.
- Turn over plastic wading pools, and wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use.
- Dispose of any items that collect water on your property including off-rim tires and unused tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep pools empty or covered when not in use. Always drain water from pool covers.
- Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.
- Clear ditches of obstructions so they drain properly and eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
- Check trees for cavities that hold water and fill them with soil, gravel, or sand.
- Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
For more information, visit our website at www.wyandothealth.com or follow us on your favorite social media sites @WyandotHealth.
