SPRINGDALE, Ohio — Mosquitoes in Springdale, Bond Hill and Madisonville have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, according to the City of Cincinnati Department of Health.
Specifically, the mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus in Springdale were in the "southwest quadrant of the community," according to the announcement.
"Once a positive pool of mosquitoes has been identified, CHD’s Technical Environmental Services (TES) team contacts all residents within about .5- and 1-mile radius informing them that mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile virus were found in the area and providing information on how they can protect themselves," CHD said.
The West Nile virus affects the central nervous system and can be transmitted to humans directly by mosquitoes. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will never become sick, or show symptoms. However, up to 20 percent of people who become infected may have symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash.
“Whenever we find West Nile virus in our local mosquito population, we recognize the danger of it being transmitted to humans. That is what we want to prevent,” Cincinnati Health Department Commissioner Grant Mussman said. “We want to encourage Cincinnati area residents to take some simple precautionary measures to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.”
Less than one percent of people infected with the West Nile virus develop severe symptoms, but those symptoms can last several weeks and neurological effects can become permanent.
Residents over 50 have the highest risk of developing severe infections, and anyone experiencing similar symptoms should contact a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found in the Greater Cincinnati region before. The CHD said there were 31 "West Nile Virus positive mosquito pools" in 2023 which was well above the yearly average of three positive pools.
The health department said the last time a Cincinnati resident had a confirmed case of the virus was in 2012.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn; the health department says mosquito species that bite humans during the day are not typically the species known to carry the West Nile virus.
The Springdale Health Department provides free resources to prevent mosquitoes, like mosquito dunks for areas that collect water, insect repellent and mini first aid kits.
To prevent mosquitoes in your area, the health department suggests the following steps:
- Eliminate sources of standing water in your yard such as saucers under flowerpots, children’s toys, wheelbarrows, boats, tires, puddles, etc. Mosquitoes can breed in even a very small quantity of standing water.
- Use mosquito dunks on water bodies that cannot be immediately drained.
- Replace water in bird baths and outdoor pet dishes at least every week to help eliminate stagnant water.
- Keep swimming pools circulating, clean and chlorinated, and remove any water that collects on the swimming pool cover.
- Empty out and turn over plastic wading pools or kiddie pools when not in use.
- Keep gutters clean to prevent standing water.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes:
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts with shoes and socks when outdoors for long periods of time, or during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use an EPA-approved mosquito repellent to protect exposed skin.
- Repair or replace old and torn screens in doors, windows and vents.
- If camping, use a screened tent
- Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting
Watch Live:
