The Henry and Stark County Health Department is urging residents to take precautions against West Nile virus as mosquito activity remains high due to a wet, warm summer. West Nile virus has been detected in environmental samples from both counties. Locals are encouraged to follow the “Fight the Bite” campaign by practicing the three R’s: reduce standing water, repair window screens, and keep doors closed; repel by wearing protective clothing and using EPA-recommended insect repellents; and report stagnant water sources to authorities.
REDUCE – make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.
No confirmed human cases have been reported locally this season, but officials stress that prevention remains key. Residents interested in learning more about mosquito control or West Nile Virus are encouraged to contact the Health Department at (309) 852-0197, visit www.henrystarkhealth.com, or follow the department’s updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.