On April 9, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced its first probable case of West Nile virus (WNV) 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, MD. “(This) 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 case of WNV and eight WNV-related deaths; the first human case was reported July 18. 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.”West Nile virus and other vector-borne illnesses are preventable,” Baird said. “By taking some simple steps you can help ensure you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe when outside this spring and summer