Ohio confirms 9th case of West Nile virus

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Ohio has confirmed nine human cases of West Nile virus this year, and state health officials say drought conditions and heat across the state mean that Ohioans can expect to see more of the mosquitoes that spread the virus.

The latest case was confirmed Wednesday in Clark County in west-central Ohio, but the virus has been found in mosquito pools tested statewide, Ohio Department of Health spokeswoman Tessie Pollock said. No West Nile deaths have been reported in the state so far this year.

The case comes as areas in Texas are coping with a West Nile virus outbreak that Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on Wednesday declared a state of emergency. He has authorized the first aerial spraying of insecticide in the city in more than 45 years to try to halt the spread of the virus there. Texas health department statistics show 381 cases and 16 deaths related to West Nile in that state.

Drought and heat in Ohio in recent months have increased the prevalence of the Culex mosquito that transmits West Nile. The mosquito prefers to breed in organically rich water sources, such as water in the process of evaporating from ditches and catch basins where leaves accumulate, Pollock said.

The health department confirmed the first human case in July, a month earlier than in recent years, and that usually indicates West Nile will be more prevalent, Pollock said. Three cases have been reported in Cuyahoga County in Northeast Ohio and single cases in Lorain, Putnam, Sandusky, Clark, Clermont and Miami counties.

Pollock said positive pools of mosquitoes this year are tracking similar to 2002, when there were 441 cases and 31 deaths in Ohio. Last year, 21 human cases were confirmed, with one death.

While most people develop no symptoms or mild symptoms, about 1 in 150 of those infected develop a severe form such as West Nile encephalitis, meningitis or poliomyelitis. Severe symptoms include headache, high fever, coma, convulsions and paralysis.

Those with weakened immune systems — including people with underlying medical conditions, infants and the elderly — are most at risk, Pollock said.

Health department officials suggest people wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks if they are out between dusk and dawn. Light-colored clothing is least attractive to mosquitoes.

Officials also recommend using insect repellent and eliminating standing water.