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News Release
For Immediate Release
July 5, 2005
GREENE
COUNTY COMBINED HEALTH DISTRICT
ANNOUNCES STEPS TO PREVENT WEST NILE VIRUS
(XENIA,
OH) Greene County Combined Health District’s Health Commissioner, Mark A.
McDonnell, announced today that there have been no positive cases of West Nile
Virus in Greene County.
Health Commissioner McDonnell
cautions Greene County residents to practice the following prevention methods:
Personal Prevention Measures: avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn;
when outdoors wear light colored clothing, shoes, socks, long pants and long
sleeves; use mosquito repellant that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon
eucalyptus and follow label directions; generally use a concentration of 30%
DEET for adults and 10% or less for children according to package directions; if
using repellants on children, be sure to use products that are recommended for
children’s use. Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites: keep rain gutters clean of
debris; cover open boats; repair leaking watering equipment; store items that
can hold water more than a few days; prevent old tires from collecting water;
keep swimming pools clean/covered; eliminate water collecting depression in
tarps; clean bird baths once a week, keep ornamental pots and plant saucers free
of standing water; keep windows and doors closed and make sure screens are in
good repairs; and work with elderly neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on
their property.
As of July 1, 2005, The Ohio
Department of Health (ODH) reported the following West Nile Virus information:
one positive dead bird from Stark County; nine positive live birds from Wayne
County; one positive horse from Ross County; one positive horse from Summit
County; one positive mosquito pool from Cuyahoga County; and two positive
mosquito pools from Franklin County.
In 2004, Ohio reported 12 probable
and confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus and two Nest Nile Virus related
deaths. In 2002, Ohio reported 441 human cases and 31 deaths.
Health Commissioner McDonnell
stated, “although cases of West Nile Virus have decreased considerably since
2002, this unpredictable virus could return at higher levels in 2005. West Nile
Virus activity is closely linked to short-term weather patterns and with recent
rains following dry weather, activity could increase.”
For
more information on West Nile Virus, contact Greene County Combined Health
District, Environmental Health Division, (937) 374-5600 or 1-866-858-3588.
Greene County Combined Health District – Your center
for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 70
years.
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