Mosquito spraying planned Thursday

Columbus Public Health are to spray pesticides in several neighborhoods Thursday after mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus were found in traps.

Weather permitting, the agency will spray from 3:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the Far North, Clintonville, Hayden Run, Northland and North Linden neighborhoods as well as south Worthington.

Maps of spray areas and other mosquito information can be found at www.columbus.gov/ publichealth/programs/ Animal---Insects/ Mosquito-Spraying-Map/ and www.myfcph.org/ environmental-health/ mosquitoes/.

Franklin County Public Health is to spray in western Gahanna beginning Thursday around 9 p.m. because of a high number of mosquitoes found in traps. A detailed map of the area can be found at www.myfcph. org.

West Nile can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people have no symptoms, but one in five develops a fever that might be accompanied by a headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. In some severe cases, it can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, inflammatory diseases that affect the brain and spinal cord.

To protect against West Nile, health officials recommend:

• Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can breed, such as in buckets, flower pots, birdbaths, toys or wading pools.

• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

• Wearing protective clothing, including long sleeves and pants, socks and shoes. • Using insect repellent • Installing or repairing window screens

To report a mosquito problem in Columbus, call 311 or 614-645-3111. Elsewhere in Franklin County, complete a service-request form at www.myfcph.org/environmentalor leave a message at 614-5252483 (BITE).