The Union County Health Department has just received information that two blue jays submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The birds were found on Paver Barnes Road in Paris Township and Watkins Road in Dover Township.

Director of Environmental Health, Paul Pryor, stated: “This is not unexpected.” Mr. Pryor indicates: “residents should continue to be on the alert, take preventative measures, use insect repellants, and continue to report dead blue jays and crows to the Health Department.”

According to the Health Department, the West Nile Virus is transmitted from the bite of infected mosquitoes, not from the birds.

Symptoms of a mild infection of West Nile include fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis mark more severe infection. It can become serious in the young and elderly or for those receiving chemotherapy treatment.

It is recommended that horse owners vaccinate their animals as horses are among those most susceptible to West Nile infection. The Ohio State University Veterinary Clinic in Marysville informed the Health Department that it has the vaccine available. For questions about the vaccine, contact the clinic or your own veterinarian.

What you can do to prevent West Nile Virus
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, which includes puddles, stagnant ditches, and containers such as old tires, buckets, cans, neglected swimming pools, etc. Storm sewers, culverts, and catch-basins, etc. provide an outdoor resting place to the adult Culex pipiens mosquito (the common house mosquito) which is most commonly associated with West Nile virus. This mosquito commonly enters homes through unscreened windows or doors, or broken screens.

Personal Protection Tips

The best way to protect against West Nile Virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Use personal protection while outdoors when mosquitoes are present.

The following action will reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.

• Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeved shirts or jackets, and long slacks.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure. Protect small children when outdoors.
• Avoid physical exertion, and use colognes and perfumes sparingly as these may attract mosquitoes.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellant, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors. Chemical repellents are available in aerosol sprays, sticks, lotions, towelettes, and pills. Pills have questionable effect. Sprays and lotions are the commonly available formulations.
• In outdoor areas, aerosol bombs, smoke pots, and citronella candles all have limited use. Mosquito “Wands” usually contain “moth balls”, e.g. “Skeeter Beater”. Electrocution devices attract mosquitoes into the yard. If used, place at the farthest distance from you area of person use. Sonic repellers do not work.
• In indoor areas, citronella candles and mosquito coils (which are actually a pesticide) can be used.
• Put 16 mesh screens on all doors and windows and keep them in good repair.

If you feel you may have symptoms of West Nile Virus, see your doctor.
For more information about mosquito borne illness or to report a dead bird, contact the Union County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at Division at (937) 642-2053.