Clark County sees first human West Nile Virus case since 2018

CLARK COUNTY — The Clark County Combined Health District said a female in the county has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the county’s first case in a person since 2018, according to a spokesman.

The case is believed to be the first person to contract the virus in Ohio in 2021, the Clark County Combined Health District said.

“This individual had some symptoms commonly associated with WNV, but is home now resting and is expected to recover fully,” said Nate Smith, communications coordinator for the Clark County Combined Health District.

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Smith said he would not release the person’s age due to privacy concerns, but did confirm she is a resident of Mad River Twp., which is located in the southwestern portion of the county.

Earlier this month, Clark County Combined Health District reported widespread West Nile Virus in the county after nearly a dozen mosquito samples tested positive for the virus. This week, the county reported seven more samples from all over the county tested positive for the virus.

The health district said residents in Clark County should “assume the presence of West Nile Virus in their area and to take steps now to eradicate mosquito habitats along their properties.”

“With the number of positive West Nile Virus mosquito samples we have found, it is disappointing but not surprising to have a human case,” said Larry Shaffer, director of environmental health with the Clark County Combined Health District. “The most effective mosquito control is for everyone to get rid of standing water at their homes to eliminate breeding sites. It’s also important to wear appropriate clothing and use an EPA approved repellent when outdoors in the early morning or evening.”

West Nile Virus is most commonly spread by infected mosquitos and can lead to severe fever, inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, the health district said.

According to the health district, about one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness.

The county health district said it is using different products, including Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, to help treat areas that are impacted.

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