COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio is leading the nation this year in reported cases of La Crosse virus, a mosquito-borne illness that most commonly affects children under 16, health officials said.
“We’re seeing a lot of cases in Ohio this year,” said Dr. Chris Ouellette, an infectious disease physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “This has been a busier year than what we’ve seen in other years, but this is not something I would consider out of the normal if you look back far enough in time.”
The Ohio Department of Health has reported 40 human cases of La Crosse virus so far this year, double the average number typically reported annually in the state.
Ouellette said the virus and the type of mosquito that transmits it are most commonly found in central and southeast Ohio, as well as the Appalachian region.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital has treated more than 20 cases over the past year, according to Ouellette.
“That’s not an unexpectedly low or necessarily high number,” Ouellette said. “I think it fits within the range of cases we have seen.”
La Crosse virus is carried by a specific type of mosquito that thrives in wooded areas and tends to bite during the day. The virus cannot be spread from person to person. Health officials recommend preventing mosquito bites as the best way to reduce risk of infection.
“The best thing is to use mosquito repellent on exposed skin,” Ouellette said. “Also, wear long clothing to cover your skin and reduce the area available for bites.”
Most people infected with La Crosse virus do not show symptoms. For those who do, signs typically appear five to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
“This virus likes to cause inflammation of the brain and the layers surrounding the brain,” Ouellette said. “The majority of cases we see present with fever, headache and often nausea.”
While La Crosse virus can sound alarming, Ouellette said most children recover fully without long-term effects. There is currently no vaccine or direct treatment for the virus, making prevention especially important, health officials said.
