More mosquitos in Canton test positive for West Nile

CANTON − Two samples of mosquitoes, one collected at Weis Park and one collected around 11th Street NW and Whipple Avenue NW the week of July 8, have tested positive for West Nile Virus, Canton City Public Health said Wednesday.

The department has not confirmed that any people in the area have tested positive for the virus. But it has indicated that a total of seven samples of mosquitoes collected this month and last month have tested positive for West Nile.

The virus is spread to people through bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of infection can include "fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash." About 20% of people infected develop symptoms, the health department said.

The health department collects mosquitoes from locations around Canton and sends them to the Ohio Department of Health's lab for testing.

The department said it's seeking to reduce the chances of people being infected by a mosquito by using larvicide to kill mosquito larvae, removing stagnant water where mosquitoes lay eggs and larvae hatch, and spraying to kill adults.

Where have mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile in Canton?

Canton City Public Health announced June 26 it found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus at Stadium Park and Thurman Munson Stadium . On July 15 , the department said it also found mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile in the 1300 block of Henry Avenue SW, Covered Bridge Park and Ransom H. Barr Elementary School.

Tips to avoid coming in contact with mosquitoes

The department offered the following tips to avoid coming in contact with mosquitoes and reducing the mosquito population:

• Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes tend to be out and about in the early morning and late evening.
• Use "approved" insect repellants when outside.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to help protect your arms and legs from mosquito bites.
• Get rid of any stagnant pools of water on your property, including "buckets, old tires, tarps and anything that can hold water" to deny mosquitoes a place to lay eggs.
• Each day, change the water in pet dishes.
• Drain and clean bird baths at least once a week.
• Keep your swimming pool clean and chlorinated and circulate water even if you don't use the pool.
• Clean your gutters.
• Fix and maintain window screens and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Discard old, unused tires at the Canton Recycling Center at 742 Schroyer Ave. SW.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. X formerly Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: More mosquitos in Canton test positive for West Nile