First case of West Nile virus in '06 is reported in toddler

Sunday, August 20, 2006 COLUMBUS — Ohio has recorded its first human case of West Nile virus in 2006, the Ohio Department of Health reported. The patient is a 2-year-old female from Fulton County; she is recovering. "This news reminds us once again the importance of Ohio's taking steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from potential illness by avoiding mosquito bites," said ODH Director Dr. J. Nick Baird. The Youngstown City Health Department's mosquito spraying program, which started about two weeks ago, will continue as long as there is a problem, said Robert Hewitt, director of the Division of Environmental Health. He said the city's East Side and most of the South Side have been sprayed. Hewitt said mosquitoes are trapped most nights and some are sent to the state laboratory to determine if they are carrying the West Nile virus. As of Friday, no mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus, he said. Avoiding infection ODH offers these suggestions to avoid possible infection from mosquito bites: Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. If you must be outdoors, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks. Light colors are least attractive to mosquitoes. Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil, and follow the label directions. Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites by removing discarded tires and other water-holding containers such as tin cans and unused flower pots. Also eliminate standing ground water. Make sure roof gutters are clean and drain properly. Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Change water in birdbaths weekly. Although cases of the virus have decreased considerably since 2002, when ODH reported 441 human cases, the unpredictable virus could return at higher levels this year. After reporting 12 cases in 2004, ODH reported 61 cases in 2005. West Nile tends to circulate most widely during droughtlike conditions, which have not been seen in Ohio this year, said Rich Gary, chief of ODH's Vector-borne Disease Program. So far in 2006, ODH has identified 12 West Nile-positive birds, 91 positive mosquito pools, and no positive horses.