The Alliance Health Department has received notification from the Ohio Department of Health of positive mosquitoes for West Nile Virus from the South border of Alliance. The department routinely conducts mosquito surveillance for West Nile Virus and sends mosquito specimens for testing, and will continue to conduct surveillance until the mosquito season is over. The department has recently treated those areas for mosquitoes, and will conduct another round targeted spraying throughout the city.
To avoid possible infection from mosquito bites:
- Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- If you must be outdoors, be sure to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Light colors are least attractive to mosquitoes.
- Use EPA-registered mosquito repellants according to label instructions.
To eliminate mosquito breeding sites near your home:
- Remove all discarded tires and other water-holding containers such as tires, cans and unused flower pots, from your property. Eliminate standing water from your property.
- Make sure all roof gutters are clean and drain properly.
- Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty when not in use and drain water from pools covers.
- Change water in bird baths weekly.
For more information on West Nile Virus, you can visit the department's website at www.cityofalliance.com/health under Publications or contact the department at 330-821-7373 or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.