Hot, dry weather in the Midwest has created the perfect conditions for mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus.
Health Officials in Montgomery County are warning residents that cases of West Nile virus have increased 5 fold from last year. Statewide samples positive for West Nile have gone from 38 in 2011 to 213 in 2012. Routine county-wide mosquito trapping and testing by Public Health has found mosquitoes with West Nile in Dayton, Centerville, Kettering, Vandalia, Englewood, and Clayton. The director of environmental health says that Montgomery County has the 2nd highest rate in the state of positive samples.
Symptoms of West Nile vary from slight fever, body aches, and swollen glands to high fever, headache, and even paralysis. Health officials say the best prevention is not getting bit at all and advise wearing repellent and to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around the home, like places with standing water.