Shaker Online Bugs, Bites and West Nile Virus West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause West Nile Virus disease, encephalitis, or meningitis. What the Health Department does: • Follows a detailed West Nile Virus prevention plan focused on larviciding the 3,500 street catch basins in Shaker. This has prevented the need for spraying pesticide. • Responds to complaints of standing water. What you can do: • Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, and toys. • Empty and change water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays weekly. • Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt. • Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating. Create Structural Barriers • Cover all gaps in walls, doors, and windows. • Make sure window and door screens are in good working order. • Completely cover baby carriers and beds with netting. Avoid Bug Bites • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. • Avoid being outside at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active. • Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents. Bats, Bites, and Rabies Bat bites are the most common source of human cases of rabies in the United States. If you are exposed, report the incident to the Health Department. Animal Control will pick up the bat, which will be sent to a lab for rabies testing. What the Health Department does: • Takes part in the Oral Rabies Vaccine baiting program. Baiting consists of placing sachets of vaccine in wooded areas for wildlife to eat.* What you can do: • Vaccinate your pets against rabies. • Avoid wild animals and animals you don’t know. • Call your doctor if you are bitten by a wild animal, or your vet if your pet is bitten. Report exposures to the Health Department. For details on services offered by the Health Department, visit shakeronline.com/departments/health or call Tammy Bell, administrative assistant, at 216-491-1480. Summer means long days, fun in the sun and... bugs, bats, bites, and bacteria. No worries! The Shaker Heights Health Department has been baiting, trapping, and testing to stamp out environmental health threats for years. They’re on it…but you can help too. A Squeaky Clean Pool The State of Ohio requires all public swimming pools to be licensed and inspected annually to ensure proper water chemistry, proper pump room equipment, and adequate safety equipment. What the Health Department does: • Inspects the pool more frequently than required. • Analyzes the test results from the lab and monitors pool water to prevent recreational water illnesses caused by bacteria. What you can do: • Shower before entering the pool. • Take regular restroom breaks. • Use approved swim diapers for children who are not toilet trained. • Only change diapers in the restroom and wash hands thoroughly when done. • Do not swim if you are sick. * Shaker Heights was not baited in 2014 because no incidents of raccoon-strain rabies have been discovered for a couple of years. Surveillance will continue. Living in a Healthy Community 4 ShAKerONLINE.COM | SUMMER 2015
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