Mosquitoes on Austintown School property test positive for West Nile Virus
Less than a week before classes are scheduled to resume, the Austintown School District is telling parents that mosquitoes found on school property have tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to a media release from the school district, Mahoning County District Board of Health informed school officials on Friday that the mosquitoes were found in traps located in the wetland area of the school’s campus, which extends from Idaho to South Raccoon Roads. The media release ...
Less than a week before classes are scheduled to resume, the Austintown School District is telling parents that mosquitoes found on school property have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
According to a media release from the school district, Mahoning County District Board of Health informed school officials on Friday that the mosquitoes were found in traps located in the wetland area of the school’s campus, which extends from Idaho to South Raccoon Roads.
The media release says the health department applied a larvicide designed to prevent mosquitoes from hatching in the infected areas.
The health department also inspected several retention ponds on the school campus.
The inspection turned up no signs of standing water which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, according to the release.
The administration will not allow students to use the wetlands for environmental education this fall.
“There will be signs posted to notify students, and we are working with an insect control company, which will be fogging areas on the property to get rid of any existing adult mosquitoes in the area,” said Superintendent Vincent Colaluca.
The district also plans to purchase EPA- approved spray for athletes since practice fields are located near the wetland.
The release says schools will continue to work closely with the health department to monitor the property.
Monday is the first day of school for the new year.
Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wes Vins tells 21 News that infected mosquitoes were discovered in the Damascus area.
The Mahoning County District Board of Health revealed last week that it has also trapped mosquitoes in Canfield that the Ohio Department of Health has found to be positive for West Nile Virus.
In addition, infected mosquitoes were found in the Columbiana County community of Damascus.
The Ohio Department of Health said that West Nile virus is most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes that can lead to severe fever, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
The primary culprit is the northern house mosquito, which becomes infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals when they bite.
Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop an illness or not.
Those who do develop symptoms usually do so between three to 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito:
Serious symptoms in a few people.
About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Milder symptoms in some people.
Up to 20 percent of people who become infected will have symptoms that can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. Symptoms can last for a few days to as long as several weeks.
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection, and care is based on symptoms.
The easiest and best way to prevent WNV is to prevent mosquito bites,
When outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, 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.
Animals associated with West Nile virus in Ohio include birds, horses, and mosquitoes.
