Description of the main symptoms of West Nile virus
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, with the highest concentrations in the Midwest. Here’s how to tell if you have it:
USA Today
CANTON – Six mosquito samples collected in Canton during the week of July 15 tested positive for West Nile virus, the Canton Health Department announced Friday.
This brings the total number of mosquito samples that tested positive for the virus in June and July to 13, the agency said.
The six locations were McKinley Memorial Park, Stadium Park, 1300 Henry Ave. SW, Maron Park south of Myers Lake, Weiss Park, Richmond Avenue NE and Resch Street NE.
Mosquitoes collected from Wyeth Park the week of July 8, Stadium Park the week of June 3 and from Henry Avenue SW the week of June 3 also tested positive.
As a result of the test results, the Canton Health Department announced it would move up the third scheduled mosquito eradication, which began Monday and will continue through Aug. 7. Health department officials scheduled the eradication to take place before most of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Celebration festivities would arrive. The health department had originally planned to begin the eradication on Aug. 12.
Related: More mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in Canton
The threat of West Nile virus
Health officials say so far no one in the area has tested positive for West Nile virus.
Infected mosquitoes spread the virus to people by biting.
About 20% of people who test positive for West Nile virus will develop symptoms, which can include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash.
“Nobody wants to get bitten,” said Gus Doria, environmental health inspector for the Canton Health Department. “If you reduce the mosquito population, you reduce the chances of being bitten.”
Doria said the 13 positive cases over the summer is the most he’s seen in Canton since he started working at the Canton Health Department in 2018. He said migratory birds bring the virus into the area. Mosquitoes bite the birds, which then spread the virus to humans. Doria suspects climate change is causing infected birds to fly north into Stark County earlier this year. Also, mild winters and a warm, rainy spring are boosting mosquito populations.
Health officials said the Canton Health Department samples 24 mosquitoes in the city each week for West Nile virus testing, excluding holiday weeks.
Spraying location
Spraying will begin in the northwest part of Canton from Monday through Wednesday and continue in the southwest part on Thursday and Aug. 2. Spraying in the northeast part of the city will take place on Aug. 5 and 6, while spraying in the southeast part will take place on Aug. 7.
The Canton Health Department has released a list of roads and areas in Canton that will be sprayed with insecticides, as well as the timing of spraying.
Robert can be reached at robert.wang@cantonrep.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @rwangREP.