The state says two cases of the potentially deadly mosquito-borne West Nile virus have been reported in Ohio. But there’s actually good news in that number.
The Ohio Department of Health is confirming West Nile virus has turned up in a 34 year old Cuyahoga County man with a fever and a 77 year old Hamilton County man with encephalitis. Health officials have been worried that the wet summer would bring in more mosquitoes, and more disease. But Dr. Richard Gary says so far, so good.
“We’re right about the same place we were this time last year. Last year we had 29 positive mosquito samples at this time. Right now we’re looking at 28,” said Gary.
There were a total of 11 human cases of West Nile virus in Ohio last year. The worst year for West Nile in Ohio was the first year it turned up – 2002, when there were 441 human cases reported.