West Nile Virus detected in Greene Co.

SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Greene County Public Health will continue to test mosquitos after the West Nile Virus was detected in a batch that was collected in Sugarcreek Twp.

The recent hot and wet weather has created a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. Greene County Public Health has been collecting the insects for months and sending them to the Ohio Department of Health for testing.

In June, Greene County Public Health focused their testing in Beavercreek, but it was a batch of insects collected in Sugarcreek Twp. Between August first and fifth that were found to be infected with the West Nile Virus.

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The sample was taken south of State Route 725 east of Wilmington-Dayton Road, north of the Sugarcreek Twp. Metropark and west of Lakeman Drive. Mark Isaacson, Program Manager for Special Services said that area has been treated with larvicide to reduce the adult mosquito population.

If a mosquito infected with the West Nile Virus bites you, it can lead to severe fever or inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, and death is possible.

According to Ohio Department of Health data last reported Aug. 13, Clark and Greene counties have reported mosquitos that have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. However, there are no human or animal cases in the state.

Mosquitos like wet and warm weather. To protect yourself, Greene County Public Health said to do the following:

· Get rid of standing water at your home

· Limit time outside during evening hours when mosquitos are most active

· Use an inspect repellent that contains Deet

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