West Nile Virus Found in Delhi Township Mosquitoes

Hamilton County Public Health announced Thursday that mosquitoes in Delhi Township have tested positive for West Nile virus.

The mosquitoes were recently trapped and tested on Foley Road, returning positive for West Nile virus.

This comes after the two positive cases were collected in Springdale last month, near Glensprings Avenue and Springfield Pike. Cincinnati Health Department also reported positive cases of West Nile virus in mosquitoes found in Bond Hill and Madisonville in July. HCPH said the department will continue to monitor mosquito traps throughout Hamilton County during the summer to test for disease.

"Hamilton County Public Health staff will be conducting surveillance activities in the neighborhoods and commercial areas around where the mosquitoes were collected," the news release reads. "They will be looking for areas of standing water, applying larvicide, making sure swimming pools are operating properly and advising residents on precautions they can take to avoid mosquito bites."

Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said the department has been tracking West Nile virus in the county since it was first detected locally in 2001, but that it's on everyone to take precautions.
“We can all take action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” Kesterman said.

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. HCPH said most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will never become sick, but that everyone should be aware of the symptoms.

Symptoms may develop two to 14 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Serious symptoms, which appear in less than one percent of those infected, include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

Preventing West Nile virus in your area

HCPH advises all residents to "Drain, Dunk and Protect" to reduce the mosquito population and prevent West Nile Virus:

Drain:

• Look for and drain sources of standing water on your property – litter, tires, buckets, flowerpots, wading pools and similar items that could create standing water and become mosquito breeding sites.
• Frequently change water in bird baths and pet bowls.
• Drain small puddles after heavy rainstorms.

Dunk:

• Apply mosquito larvicide, sometimes called mosquito “dunks,” to areas of standing water that cannot be drained. The “dunks” are environmentally safe and won’t harm pets. Purchase them at your local hardware store.

Protect:

• Cut your grass and trim shrubbery.
• Make sure screens in windows and doors are tight-fitting and free from defect.
• Wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours – dawn and dusk.
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon or eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the package.

Follow CityBeat's staff news writer Madeline Fening on X and Instagram .