Franklin County seeing highest West Nile rate in years

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Through its mosquito surveillance program, Franklin County Public Health is seeing its highest level of West Nile virus in years.

"This has been a very, very active virus year,” Franklin County Public Health Environmental Section Division Manager Charlie Borschart said. “West Nile virus is very prevalent in the mosquito population right now. We’re probably on track to exceed the number of positive mosquitoes we got in 2018, which was a pretty banner year.”

The Ohio Department of Health has a map that shows how many pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus. There have been 528 pools that have tested positive in Franklin County, according to the latest data. The next closest county had 88.

“We’re very good at catching mosquitoes, we’re very good at testing for virus," Broschart said.

Ohio Department of Health press secretary Ken Gordon said Franklin County and Columbus health departments have "very robust surveillance programs," so they submit more mosquitoes than other jurisdictions, leading to more samples testing positive for West Nile.

“We’ve identified this as an important part of Franklin County Public Health’s program and the environmental program but then all the jurisdictions we serve also see this is very important that we maintain it at a high level,” Gordon said.

ODH also said that the percentage of samples testing positive in Franklin County is not higher than some other jurisdictions and many areas have seen significant increases in virus activity. The infection rate in mosquitoes in Franklin County is five times higher than the 10-year average, according to FCPH.

“When the virus is this prevalent and we’re seeing it in the mosquitoes, it's pretty important that people are aware, you don't want people to kind of blow this off because it's just important," Broschart said.

He said this doesn't mean people shouldn't go outside, but stressed the importance of using bug spray, wearing light and loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding certain areas during certain times.

There have been two cases of West Nile virus in humans in Ohio so far this year, according to state data.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, while most people don’t experience symptoms from West Nile virus, those who do may suffer headaches, fevers, body aches, and a rash. Those who suffer from more severe cases could experience a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma.