CANTON, Ohio — Canton City Public Health confirmed that a mosquito pool collected in the area of Lesh Avenue NE and Richmond Avenue NE tested positive for West Nile virus.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Although many who are infected don’t become seriously ill, West Nile can cause symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and more.
Canton City Public Health is urging residents to “fight the bite” by taking the following steps:
- Limit time outdoors during peak mosquito activity in the early morning and late evening
- Use an approved insect repellent
- Wear lightweight long pants and shirt
- Remove sources of stagnant water around your home and yard
- Change water in pet dishes every day
- Drain and clean bird baths each week
- Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated with water circulating, even if it’s currently not being used
- Keep gutters clean
- Repair window and door screens
- Remove old, unused tires to a legal tire disposal facility
In the Ohio Department of Health’s update on Friday, there have been 19 mosquitos across five counties that have tested positive for West Nile virus, including in Summit, Portage, Stark, Richland and Franklin counties. There have been no human cases so far this year…