CINCINNATI — Hamilton County Public Health has confirmed its first case of West Nile virus within a human within its jurisdiction, which is all of the county except for Cincinnati, Norwood and Springdale.
Officials said the evidence supports that the person, who lives in the Symmes Township area, was likely bitten by a local mosquito infected with the virus.
“For most people, West Nile virus is manageable, but people who are immunocompromised could experience severe illness affecting the brain and spinal cord,” says Dr. Stephen Feagins, medical director at Hamilton County Public Health. “Those are quite serious, so it’s essential to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitoes and to seek medical care if you develop symptoms of West Nile virus.”
HCPH said it has consulted with medical providers and health agencies involved in the case. Environmental health specialists from HCPH have performed mosquito surveillance near the resident’s home and, when necessary, treated standing pools of water with larvicide to prevent mosquito breeding.
For 2026, within HCPH’s jurisdiction, West Nile virus has only been confirmed in one mosquito sample pool so far.
In 2025 there was one human case of West Nile virus within HCPH’s jurisdiction.
Health officials are urging residents to “fight the bite” in the following ways:
- Limit time outdoors during peak mosquito activity in the early morning and late evening
- Use an approved insect repellent
- Wear lightweight long pants and shirt
- Remove sources of stagnant water around your home and yard
- Change water in pet dishes every day
- Drain and clean bird baths each week
- Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated with water circulating, even if it’s currently not being used
- Keep gutters clean
- Repair window and door screens
- Remove old, unused tires to a legal tire disposal facility
In the Ohio Department of Health’s update on Oct. 1, there have been 462,491 mosquitoes across 36 counties that tested positive for West Nile virus. ODH also reported at least 16 human cases.
On average, 47 human cases are reported each year in Ohio, according to ODH.
Source: spectrumnews1.com
