CINCINNATI -- A pool in the city's North Avondale neighborhood tested positive for West Nile virus.
Still, the Cincinnati Health Department says there's no need to be alarmed. It's normal to get a positive result for West Nile among mosquitos this time of year.
Last year, Ohio had 34 human cases of West Nile infection and five deaths.
Some of the most important steps you can take to stay safe from mosquito-borne illnesses include using bug spray every day and draining standing water in your neighborhood to prevent them from reproducing or congregating.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so regularly tipping out wading pools, buckets, bird baths and outdoor pet bowls is one way to keep them at bay.
Other tips:
- Use mosquito "dunks" in areas of standing water you can't drain. The "dunks" kill mosquito larvae in the water but are harmless to people and pets.
- Keep lawns mowed and bushes trimmed.
- Make sure screens in windows and doors are tight-fitting to keep mosquitoes out.
- Wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours, which are around dawn and dusk.
- Use an insect repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon or eucalyptus.
In Ohio, most human cases of West Nile virus are reported from July through October.
About 70 to 80 percent of people won't get sick if they're bitten by an infected mosquito. West Nile symptoms 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 as short as a few days, though even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.
Less than 1 percent of people will develop serious symptoms, including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms could last several weeks, and neurological effects could be permanent.
People over age 50 are most at risk. Anyone with the symptoms should see a doctor.
