Special Announcements - Sharon Township

Christine Lawson

Friday, 14 July 2017

Message from Medina County Health Department

Special Announcements

TO INFORM YOU, NOT SCARE YOU.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kristen Hildreth, Director of Health Promotion

Medina County Health Department

Phone: 330-662-0511

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Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

July 14, 2017, Medina, Ohio - The Medina County Health Department received confirmation on July 12, 2017 that a sample of mosquitoes taken from Sharon Community Park inSharon Township, Ohio has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).

As part of a statewide mosquito surveillance program, the health department collects weekly mosquito sample sat 14locations throughout the county. This is the first positive test result that the health department has received this year.

“These findings are not surprising. “said Environmental Health Director, Colin Johnson. “We’ve increased our surveillance program in an effort to provide more information and education about West Nile virus. Essentially, we found a positive sample because we were looking for one. There is no reason for the residents of Sharon Township to change their daily activities.”

Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. Those who develop symptoms usually do so between 3 to 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.

The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.

• When outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, some oil of lemon eucalyptus or para menthane-diol. Follow the directions on the package.

• Many mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

At this time there are no reported human cases of West Nile virus in Ohio.

West Nile Virus Control Efforts:

As a precautionary measure, the Medina County Health Department in partnership with Sharon Township, will be identifying and treating potential mosquito breeding sites in and around SharonCommunity Park.

Annual mosquito prevention treatments begin in early May. The Medina County Health Department uses alarvicidetablet. The environmentally friendly tabletremains on the bottom of a catch basin for up to 180 days and is slowly released throughout the summer. Other types of larvicides are used in roadside ditches and areasthat hold standing water.

For more information about the Medina County Health Department mosquito control program or West Nile virus, visit www.medinahealth.org or call (330)723-9688, option 3.