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Increase in cases of vector-borne diseases observed in Ohio

Increase in cases of vector-borne diseases observed in Ohio

Despite the arrival of fall temperatures, the great outdoors continue to house a diverse array of creepy-crawlies that pose their own health risks and potential for disease.

What You Need To Know

The department has reported a total of nine West Nile Virus cases in the state, with four females and five males affected. The ages of those infected range from 48 to 77 years old. Additionally, there is one avian case and three equine cases of the disease.

Several counties in Ohio, including Lucas, Henry, Auglaize, Hancock, Wyandot, Franklin, Lorain, Cuyahoga, and Ashtabula, have reported cases of West Nile virus among humans. Additionally, there have been three asymptomatic individuals who tested positive for the virus while donating blood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile Virus symptoms typically include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. The virus is commonly transmitted through mosquito bites.

According to ODH, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by tick bites, from 953 to 1,002. Out of these cases, 454 were females and 547 were males. The ages of those affected ranged from 1 year old to 89 years old.

Jefferson County has reported 73 cases, making it one of the top counties with the highest number of reported cases. Tuscarawas County closely follows with 69 cases, while Licking County has reported 66 cases. Columbiana County and Stark County have reported 57 and 45 cases, respectively.

According to the CDC, it is important to keep an eye out for common symptoms of tick bites such as fever, rash, chills, and aches and pains. To prevent contracting tick-related diseases, it is recommended to limit exposure to areas where ticks are commonly found. Using an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET or products with 0.5% permethrin can also be effective in preventing tick bites.

ODH has reported an increase in anaplasmosis cases, with a total of 15 cases being reported. These cases consist of 5 females and 11 males, with ages ranging from 36 to 88 years old.

According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), there were no changes in the number of reported cases for certain diseases. These include three cases of La Crosse, three cases of babesiosis, 13 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and 17 cases of Ehrlichiosis.

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