West Nile Virus

What is the West Nile Virus?

The West Nile Virus is an illness caused by infected mosquitoes that carry the disease from infected birds to people. The greatest risk of getting West Nile is from July to mid-September.  A person’s risk of getting West Nile is very low, but the risk is still there.

Facts You Should Know About West Nile

• Not all mosquitoes carry the virus. Only infected mosquitoes can cause illness. 
• Most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick. 
• People 50+ or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk. 
• Symptoms are normally like the flu: fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen glands. 
• No vaccine is available, but see your doctor if symptoms develop.

Mosquito Spraying

Columbus Public Health conducts mosquito-control spraying in selected Columbus Neighborhoods, based on CPH research. Spraying is done to kill adult mosquitoes usually begins the first week of July through September to reduce the number of mosquitoes. Columbus Public Health may begin earlier depending on mosquito activity.

Testing & Trapping

Columbus Public Health begins trapping mosquitoes in June each year to test them for West Nile virus. CPH also investigates mosquito complaints and treats standing water to kill larval mosquitoes. See Trapping Results. 

Preventing Bites -- Deet, Dress, Drain, and Dawn & Dusk

1) DEET: Use insect repellant that contains at least 10%.

If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, consider the use of an insect repellant containing 10% to 30% DEET.  Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. More about using insect repellant – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2) Dress in long sleeves and long pants during high risk times. 

If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks. Wear light colors are least attractive to mosquitoes.

3) Drain standing water.

• Remove old tires and other water-holding containers, such as tin cans and unused flower pots, from your property.
• Get rid of standing water from your property.
• Make sure all roof gutters are clean and draining well.
• Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty when not in use and drain water from pool covers.
• Change water in bird baths weekly.

4) At Dusk & dawn, reduce or eliminate outdoor activity.

Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite. More at Fight the Bite 

Reporting Dead Birds

Because crows and blue jays can be carriers of West Nile, CPH tracks when these birds are found dead.  Dead adult crows or blue jays in Columbus should be reported to 311 or 645-3111. Provide the number of birds found dead with the location, date and time. You do not need to keep the birds for testing. Wear protective gloves, double bag the bird(s) and throw in the trash.   

More information on West Nile  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)