Cleveland woman, Stark County man have first Ohio cases of Zika virus

COLUMBUS

State health officials have confirmed Ohio’s first two cases of the Zika virus, adding to the more than 30 cases nationally reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A 30-year-old Cleveland-area woman and a 21-year-old Stark County man, both recent travelers to Haiti, have the virus. The two cases are not related, state health officials said.

“Given the number of travelers between Ohio and Zika virus-affected countries, it would not be a surprise to see more cases,” said Dr. Mary DiOrio, medical director of the Ohio Department of Health.

Melanie Amato, ODH spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Health, said the woman was not hospitalized and is not in danger. There was no information given about the man.

The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, and health officials say there’s no indication that it can be spread through casual contact (though one U.S. case was confirmed via sexual contact).

Of those who are infected, health officials say most have no symptoms. Others may have mild fevers, rashes, joint and muscle pains or headaches that last from several days to a week, but “hospitalization is uncommon.”

Read more about the situation and the disease in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.