Ohioans are encouraged to remain vigilant and take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
The state’s first human death connected to West Nile Virus was reported this week by the Ohio Department of Health.
ODH Public Information Officer Tess Pollock says the department is continuing to see growing numbers of human cases of West Nile Virus infection and positive mosquito samples throughout the state.
She says the best way to protect yourself from contracting West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites.
Pollock says most people affected with West Nile Virus don’t show any symptoms.
Pollock says the percentage of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus so far this year has been higher than in any year since 2002.
Pollock says the state has recorded 49 human cases of West Nile Virus and 960 positive mosquito samples.
According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with West Nile Virus will develop a more severe form of disease such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis.
