Community Mosquito Trap in Powell Tests Positive for West Nile Virus
Powell, Ohio – The Delaware Public Health District has confirmed that a community mosquito trap in the City of Powell has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The Ohio Department of Health identified the first group of mosquitoes carrying the virus in Delaware County. No human cases have been reported thus far.
The discovery of WNV-positive mosquitoes raises concerns as the Powell Festival is scheduled to take place this weekend. Due to the festival, registered environmental health specialists from the Health District will not be able to fog the area until after the event concludes. In light of this situation, residents are strongly advised to take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites and safeguard their health.
Dumping standing water, where mosquitoes breed, is among the most effective preventive measures. Residents should ensure their properties are free of stagnant water in flowerpots, bird baths, tarps, gutters, and other areas where water can collect.
For those venturing outdoors, it is recommended to wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, which provides an additional layer of protection against mosquito bites. Applying an EPA-registered insect repellent is also crucial. Repellents containing Picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535 are highly recommended, and users should carefully follow the instructions on the product label. Additionally, it is worth noting that mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with insect repellent can offer extra protection.
To aid residents in their efforts to stay bite-free, the Health District will have staff present at the Powell Festival’s vendor area. They will be distributing repellent wipes and screen mending kits. Furthermore, the Health District’s mosquito control team will commence treating standing water and catch basins within the City of Powell starting next week.
For more information about the Health District’s mosquito control program and to access valuable resources, residents are encouraged to visit their official website at https://www.delawarehealth.org/pest-disease-control/.
It is essential to recognize that mosquitoes pose a potential threat as carriers of various diseases that can affect humans, including Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, and La Crosse Encephalitis. The Delaware Public Health District diligently carries out numerous activities to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. These activities include observational community surveys, educational campaigns, larval mosquito surveillance and control, avian surveillance, adult mosquito surveillance and control, as well as human and animal disease surveillance.
For further details on this alert, visit DelawareHealth.org/2023/06/23/wnv-powell.