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West Nile virus found in Butler County for first time this summer

West Nile virus found in Butler County for first time this summer
Posted at 3:45 PM, Aug 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-13 15:45:08-04

HAMILTON, Ohio -- Butler County health officials said West Nile virus was discovered in the county for the first time this summer.

Officials didn't specify where the pool or mosquitos that tested positive for the virus were discovered. They said the virus was found during regular monitoring by the Butler County General Health District. 

Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, neck stiffness and neurological effects. They can last several weeks, and the neurological effects can be permanent. 

Officials said people should cover their skin, use an EPA-registered inspect repellent, keep door and window screens closed and drain water where mosquitos can grow in order to help prevent the disease from spreading.

The county health district provides free "dunks" of mosquito larvicide to be used in abandoned pools, ditches, stagnant ponds or other large areas of standing water that cannot easily be trained. Officials said residents can call their township trustee office for more information.