As summer approaches, area health departments and officials are preparing for the return of the West Nile Virus.

“It’s in every county,” said William Saville, extension epidemiologist and large animal internalist for the Ohio State Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. The virus was first discovered in Ohio during summer 2001 when a dead blue jay tested positive for West Nile.

The virus came to the United States in 1999, but one knows how it got to North America, Saville said.

Symptoms of the virus can range anywhere from a mild flu to severe meningitis, she said. Although there is a preventive for horses based on the symptoms they exhibit, there is no known treatment for humans at this time.

“Both humans and horses have to be treated symptomatically,” Saville said.

West Nile is a mosquito-borne disease, and the Columbus Health Department’s Mosquito and Tick Control program is designed to help control mosquitoes that may transmit the disease.

Robert Snider, public health sanitarian from the Columbus Health Department, said the program includes trapping and fogging for mosquitoes.

In the past, every city would be fogged for mosquitoes, but now the fogging is based on complaints from residents, Snider said.

“Some areas of Columbus never seem to get mosquitoes,” he said.

Although fogging begins in mid June and lasts until September, the health department checks for breeding sites year round, Snider said. People can help reduce mosquito breeding sites by eliminating or cleaning standing water by emptying the water in birdbaths or old tires.

“It’s going to be around for several years,” said Susan Baughman, sanitarian in training for the Franklin County Board of Health.

The Franklin County Board of Health offers educational materials to the public about the virus, she said. The board passes out brochures and other materials to people who want to be informed.

“People need to take all measures to protect themselves,” Baughman said.

The West Nile Virus is definitely a threat to Ohio residents, said Kim Winpisinger, epidemiologist for the Ohio Department of Health. About 30 people in Ohio died last year from the virus.

People can take precautions by wearing protective clothing when outdoors, using repellents with DEET and staying indoors during hours when mosquitoes are out, Baughman said.

“Be careful around dawn and dusk,” she said.