CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County health officials announced Tuesday that they are monitoring mosquitoes to prevent the spread of what could be a deadly disease for some.
This summer, the county confirmed one human case of West Nile virus. Officials say the resident who tested positive had been out of town during their entire exposure period. They also noted that the tail end of summer is typically when cases of West Nile virus begin to emerge, especially given the heavy rain and humidity experienced over the past few weeks.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, 38 of Ohio's 88 counties have had mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus. In Northeast Ohio, Lorain County saw the most, with over 100 positive mosquito pools. Cuyahoga County had only two.
County health officials provided simple steps for people to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.
"When you're out and about, we recommend wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts," Kevin Brennan, communications officer with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, told 3News. "If possible, tuck your pants into your boots to minimize the chances of mosquito or tick bites."
Experts are also monitoring the possibility of a second exposure in Cuyahoga County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that humans are typically dead-end hosts, and rarely transmit the virus.
Health officials emphasize that there is no vaccine for West Nile virus. The best way to protect yourself from the illness is to use a mosquito spray containing DEET.