Ohio has first human case of West Nile virus for 2010

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Ohio’s first human case of West Nile virus in 2010 was confirmed Monday by the Ohio Department of Health, which also reported a sharp increase in the number of WNV-positive mosquitoes.

The patient, a 74-year-old man from Putnam County, is recovering.

Because humans can get the virus only from the bite of an infected mosquito, the state department of health reminds citizens to take steps to help prevent infection.

Those steps include use insect repellent; when outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks; eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing all water- holding containers; eliminate standing water; clean roof gutters; clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs; and change water in birdbaths weekly.