1st Probable Human Case 2004, Ohio

Excerpted from ProMED-mail posting Apr 13,2003, Id: 20040413.1002

[1]
Date: Mon 12 Apr 2004
Source: Ohio Department of Health, News, PR Apr 9 2004
<http://www.odh.state.oh.us/odhpress/news%20releases/NR040904.pdf>

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today announced its 1st
probable case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in 2004. The
patient is a 79-year-old male from Scioto County. "With warm
weather in recent weeks, mosquitoes have become active," said
ODH Director J. Nick Baird, M.D. "Today's development should
remind us all of the importance of taking personal protection
measures and working to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on and
around our properties."

In 2003, Ohio reported 108 probable and confirmed human cases
of WNV and 8 WNV-related deaths; the 1st human case was
reported on 18 Jul 2003. In 2002, Ohio reported 441 human cases
and 31 deaths. Human WNV cases typically do not appear until
late summer in Ohio. ODH and the local health authorities are
working to determine where the patient may have been exposed to
the virus.

The tick and mosquito season in Ohio generally runs from April-September.

[2]
Date: 12 Apr 2004
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Telegraph Forum [edited]
<http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/news/stories/20040410/loc
alnews/209914.html>

West Nile virus testing begins Monday

Another season of WNV monitoring begins Monday [12
Apr 2004... This is the date
the Ohio Department of Health will start allowing local health
departments to submit dead birds for testing of the virus.

This year [2004], bird testing is open to all song birds and crows.
Once 2 positive birds are found in the same county, the bird testing
will stop and other preventative measures will begin.

Wear gloves when handling a dead bird and place the creature in a
plastic bag and then into another plastic bag. Put it on ice to
prevent it from decomposing. If
the bird has been dead longer than 48 hours or shows signs of
decomposition, use the above information on handling the bird and
then dispose of it with your normal garbage.

The health district also will set out mosquito traps to catch
mosquitoes for testing.

...

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