Updated: Jun 26, 2018 06:31 PM EDT
Mosquitoes from traps in Can Winchester and Westerville have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The trapping and testing of mosquitos has been happening throughout Franklin County since May.
It's
the season for mosquitos and the number one way you can help try to
prevent them is getting rid of standing water. Mosquitoes can breed in
standing water as small as a bottle cap.
The best way you can help
is tip, toss and turn. Tipping over buckets, kids toys, kiddie pools,
cleaning out gutters and removing scrap tires where they breed.
Ryan Young is the Vector Program Manager for Columbus Public Health.
"The
most important thing with mosquito control is to stop mosquitos before
they become adults when they become adults is where they can transmit
the disease to humans because they're biting you," said Young.
Columbus
Public Health showed exactly how each mosquito is tested, how each one
has to be identified and determined a male or female.
"We have 81
districts between Columbus and Worthington," said Young. "Our trappers
go out, they do the north side one week and then move to the south side.
We bring the nets back in and we test for West Nile."
Jon Phillips is a Seasonal Aid who was busy testing mosquitoes.
"The
test strips reminds you somewhat of a pregnancy test. There's one strip
that lets you know the solution has reached that point and if it
becomes positive then there's another strip that shows up that indicates
that West Nile is present in the solution."
Columbus Public Health says one out five people show signs of West Nile which can show up as flu-like symptoms.
"Typically there's a rash, you can have headache, joint pain," said Young.
Kristin Carifa, a mother of two, says she's going to take necessary caution.
"So
scary, like definitely not something I want my kids around or have to
deal with this summer. Cover up his sandbox at night make sure there's
no water around it also find out natural bug sprays that I can put on
our skin. I'll probably go out to the house and make sure I look around
there's no standing water or like a little bottle cap got left something
that can hold water after it rains make sure the yard is nice and
clean," said Carifa.
Columbus Public Health points out that
spraying yourself with bug spray will help, avoid going out at dawn or
dusk when mosquitos are most active. If you do have to go out during
dawn and dusk wear light colors and even though it's summer try pants
and long sleeves around those times.
Westerville, Canal
Winchester and Urbancrest are the three areas where mosquito spraying is
scheduled to take place starting at 9pm Tuesday.
Source and video: http://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/mosquito-spraying-to-begin-after-positive-west-nile-virus-tests/1265826904" rel="nofollow - http://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/mosquito-spraying-to-begin-after-positive-west-nile-virus-tests/1265826904