After Two West Nile Virus Cases, Health Officials Urge Caution - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Ohio health officials have now confirmed two human cases of West Nile Virus this summer.

The first was an 85-year-old man near Cincinnati, and the second was a 48-year-old man near Cleveland.

Already, Belmont County health officials are warning people about preventing this potentially deadly virus.

July is early in the season for human cases of West Nile Virus, so officials are concerned.

Also, Belmont County residents are seeing more mosquitos than usual.

"I have a 55-gallon barrel to catch rain water to water my garden with," said Steve Swallie of Belmont County. "And every so often, you've got to keep checking because you can see the larvae swimming around in it."

Health officials say mosquitos bite birds as well as humans.

They ask people to be on the lookout for groups of dead birds--especially blackbirds, crows and blue jays and report them to the local health department.

They say standing water attracts mosquitos, and you need to eliminate it from your property.

"Basically, drain any areas that you can," advises Rob Sproul, Belmont County Health Department's public health emergency preparedness coordinator. "Drain the water out of any old tires or buckets. Basically they also sell commercial larvicide that you can use to put in areas that you're not able to drain."

Health officials say the answer is not keeping your child or yourself indoors all summer.

Instead, they recommend making yourselves a less enticing meal for a mosquito.

"Mosquitos normally bite in the mornings and the evenings," says Sproul. "So basically, make sure you put on a good mosquito repellent, one containing 10% DEET, according to CDC standards. And wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing to provide a barrier to mosquitos.

People who work outside make a habit of fighting bugs.

"Well, we just try to wear hats, gloves and long-sleeved shirts when we can,"  said Charlie Westfall, Richland Township worker. "But in hot weather it's hard to do that. And use plenty of bug repellent."

Health officials say West Nile Virus symptoms include headache, muscle aches and fever.

They say those most at risk are people over 50 and with health problems.

They say West Nile Virus can be fatal, but most people either feel no symptoms, or experience what they think is the flu.