West Nile virus detected in the Miami Valley; What you should know

West Nile virus has been detected in several areas in the Miami Valley.

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The Greene County Public Health Department said they detected the virus earlier this week in Fairborn.

>> RELATED: Mosquitos test positive for West Nile Virus in Greene County

“It’s the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental U.S.,” said Greene County Public Health Director Shadrick Adams.

A couple of days of routine testing found a positive result for West Nile virus.

“It causes, things like fever, and malaise and general lousy feeling,” Adams said.

Adams said one in five people who get the virus will have symptoms.

Greene County Public Health tested for the virus in early August. They use traps filled with a chemical to bring mosquitoes in, and once there a fan forces them into the trap.

“We use this particular kind of trap that attracts female mosquitoes, and we send those off to the lab at Ohio Department of Health,” Adams said.

Only female mosquitos can give off the virus. Adams said symptoms vary and recommended seeing a doctor if you think you have the virus, but he added that symptoms can be much worse for people over 60.

“In that case, West Nile can even be fatal. That could cause things like paralysis, your neck hurting, numbness,” Adams said.

Adams said there are a few things that can help prevent the spread.

“Make sure their gutters are clean, to make sure they don’t have anything in the yard that collects water,” Adams said.

The public health office will start spraying for mosquitoes on Monday. They’re focusing on high-traffic areas like public parks.

“We use an organic certified, product to knock those mosquitoes out. And we do that when they’re flying most. So that’s usually just after dusk or a few hours before,” Adams said.

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