MONTGOMERY COUNTY — A 68-year-old woman in Montgomery County has West Nile virus, which is the first human case in the county in three years.
“We have seen a rise in the number of mosquitoes that are testing positive for West Nile Virus,” stated Dr. Michael Dohn, medical director for Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County. “And as those numbers rise, it greatly increases the chances of people becoming infected.”
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As of Aug. 27, there have been 8 human cases of West Nile in Ohio and one death in 2018.
There were 2,333 positive mosquito samples found in Ohio as of Aug. 27, with 53 positive samples in Montgomery County.
The virus spreads through bites from mosquitoes carrying the disease.
People are most at risk of getting the virus summer through early fall, with most symptoms reported late July through early October.
Most people infected with the virus do not develop any symptoms. Up to 20 percent will have symptoms that can last a few days or as long as several weeks. About one in 150 infected with the virus will develop severe illness.
MORE: Ohio West Nile virus levels highest since 2012
| Ohio West Nile Virus disease cases | ||
|---|---|---|
| There was a surge of human cases in 2012. | ||
| Year | Human cases | Deaths |
| 2007 | 23 | 3 |
| 2008 | 15 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 21 | 1 |
| 2012 | 122 | 7 |
| 2013 | 24 | 4 |
| 2014 | 11 | 1 |
| 2015 | 35 | 2 |
| 2016 | 17 | 4 |
| 2017 | 34 | 5 |
| Source: Ohio Department of Public Health |
Some symptoms of the virus include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to health officials. Severe illness symptoms can include high fever, vision loss, numbness, disorientation or muscle weakness.
If you are experiencing any of these severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
There is no vaccine to prevent the virus.
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Among the precautions health officials say you can take to avoid West Nile are: eliminating standing pools of water; avoiding shaded areas where mosquitoes may be resting; limiting outdoor activity during evening hours; wearing protective clothing; and using insect repellents.
