West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease Cases Rising in Ohio

OHIO — The Ohio Department of Health continues to track vector-borne diseases in the Buckeye State, noting an increase in Lyme disease, West Nile Virus and anaplasmosis cases in its Nov. 1 report.

Vector-borne diseases are spread through mosquitoes, fleas and tick bites.

ODH reported 12 cases of West Nile Virus, belonging to six women and six men. The department reported four asymptomatic blood donors, one bird case and three horse cases.

The human cases were reported in Lucas, Henry, Hancock, Auglaize, Franklin, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Stark and Ashtabula counties.

West Nile Virus symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There was also an increase in cases of Lyme disease from 1,002 to 1,118 cases. The cases belong to 506 women and 610 men.

The top counties reporting cases include: Tuscarawas County with 81; Jefferson County with 76; Licking County with 74; Columbiana County with 63 and Stark County with 56.

Common tick bite symptoms to watch for include fever, rash, chills, aches and pains. The CDC recommends limiting exposure to areas where insects are known to reside to prevent contracting tick-related illnesses. The department said EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET or products with 0.5% permethrin can also help prevent bites.

The ODH also reported 17 anaplasmosis cases belonging to six women and 11 men.

The department also reported unchanged numbers for La Crosse, three cases; babesiosis, three cases; Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases, 13; and Ehrlichiosis cases, 17.

For more information on tick bite prevention, click here.