COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Health is reporting this year's first case of West Nile Virus.
A 44-year-old man from Clermont County in southwest Ohio is recovering after an infection that did not require hospitalization. The Clermont County Department of Health will conduct an environmental assessment in the affected area and implement mosquito control measures.
So far this year, 29 Ohio counties have reported West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes collected as part of statewide surveillance.
“This time of year, we could possibly see a growing number of human cases of West Nile virus infection and positive mosquito samples throughout the state,” said ODH State Epidemiologist and Bureau Chief of Infectious Disease Sietske de Fijter. “This case serves to remind Ohioans that they should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus.”
There were 17 reported cases of human West Nile Virus last year in Ohio.