COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH – Press Release
FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 29

Columbus Public Health Begins Area Spraying to Protect Residents’ Health
Killing Mosquitoes throughout Summer Helps Prevent West Nile Virus

Columbus Public Health will spray several area parks for mosquitoes beginning Monday July 1.  Weekly spraying will continue in area parks, bike paths and neighborhoods through early September.

Columbus Public Health practices disease control and prevention for the West Nile Virus by spraying in areas with high mosquito counts and disease presence.

For the convenience of residents, Columbus Public Health sprays between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., using low toxicity chemicals.  Weekly spraying areas are determined by mosquito trap results and reports from field staff, the number and type of mosquitoes trapped, the number of infected mosquitoes and evidence of human disease.  Updated weekly schedules and spraying maps will be available on the Columbus Public Health Web site. 

Spraying helps prevent the West Nile Virus, an illness caused by infected mosquitoes that carry the disease from infected birds to people.  While not all mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus, an infected mosquito can cause illness.  Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will never develop symptoms or become sick, but people 50 or older or those with weakened immune symptoms are at greatest risk.

Residents can also help prevent West Nile by wearing insect repellant, eliminating standing water (bird baths, gutters, etc.), staying indoors or wearing long sleeves and pants during early morning and late evening hours, and checking and repairing window screens.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus are similar to the flu, including fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen glands.  People with these symptoms should consult their doctor.

For more information on the West Nile Virus, as well as weekly maps and schedules, visit the Columbus Public Health Web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov.

Additional information on West Nile is also available at www.cdc.gov and www.epa.gov.

On Monday July 2nd, the following City Parks will be sprayed:
• Franklin Park
• Nelson Park
• Big Walnut Park
• Johnson Memorial Park
• Kraner Park
• Driving Park
• Fairwood Park and Swimming Pool
• Anheuser Busch Sports Park
• Antrim Park
• Woodward Park
• Innis Park
• Iuka Park
• Tuttle Park and Recreation Center
• Cooper Park
• Maloney Park
• Alum Creek Arlington Park
• Nafzger Park
• Portman Park
• Holton Park
• Rhodes Park
• Westgate Park
• Westmoor Park
• Green Countrie Park

On Tuesday July 3rd::

• Dodge Park and Recreation Center
• Lou Berliner Park
• McCoy Park
• Goodale Park
• Krumm Park
• Deshler Park
• Elk Run Park
• Huy Road Park
• Linden Park
• Linden Park
• Schiller Park
• Stockbridge Park
• Sills Park
• Stoneridge Park
• Willow Creek Park
• Big Run Park
• Marion-Franklin Park
• Lindberg Park
• Riverbend Park
• McKinley Park
• Alum Crest Park
• Wolfe Park

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