UPDATE:

THIRD Local West Nile Virus Activity Identified

Wyandot County Public Health Department was notified by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) of its third West Nile Virus(WNV) positive mosquito pool this summer. In early August, we were notified of the first positive pools in Carey and Upper Sandusky.  Recently, a third positive mosquito pool was identified in the Harpster area through the Department’s regular mosquito trapping and testing efforts. “The identification of infected mosquitoes comes as no surprise due to current increased West Nile Virus activity in Ohio," said  Jeff Ritchey of the Health Department.”  This serves as a reminder that everyone must continue to protect themselves from contracting the disease.”

The easiest and best way to avoid becoming ill is to prevent mosquito bites. Residents throughout the county are urged to use mosquito repellents when outdoors, to wear light-colored clothing, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants to protect against mosquito bites, and to limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Property owners are also reminded to continue to eliminate containers that hold water, such as; tires, cans, and unused flower pots, and to make sure all roof gutters are properly draining in order to limit mosquito breeding around homes.

WNV is a mosquito-borne disease that affects humans, birds and horses. According to the center for disease control (CDC) about 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system such as encephalitis. Severe illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at greater risk. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.

Anyone wishing to obtain more detailed WNV information, may contact the Health Department at (419) 294-3852.  View or download the following Ohio Department of Health pamphlet:    https://www.odh.ohio.gov/-/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/bid/zdp/Animals/Mosquitoes/mosquitobrochure.pdf?la=en   to learn how to protect yourselves against WNV.