The Medina County Health Department received confirmation on July 21 that a sample of mosquitoes taken from Wolf Creek Environmental Center in Sharon Township has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
As part of a statewide mosquito surveillance program, the health department collects weekly mosquito samples at 14 locations throughout the county. This is the second positive test result the health department has received this year. No human cases have been reported in the state, but the risk for human diseases will increase as the mosquito infection rate continues to rise.
The Medina County Health Department wants to take this opportunity to remind residents to take all personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites. 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.
As a precautionary measure, the Medina County Health Department in partnership with Sharon Township, will continue to identify and treat any potential mosquito breeding sites in Sharon Township.
Annual mosquito prevention treatments begin in early May. The Medina County Health Department uses a larvicide tablet. The environmentally friendly tablet remains 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 areas that 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.