In Northeast Ohio, late summer usually means backyard cookouts, packed ballfields, and sticky, humid nights. This year, though, it has brought something less welcome: a rise in mosquito bites, and a rise in West Nile virus (WNV) cases.Local health departments reported that two residents, one in Medina County and another in Cuyahoga County, tested positive for West Nile virus in August, according to Ideastream Public Media. Data from the Ohio Department of Health showed six confirmed cases statewide as of August 21.Nationwide, the numbers tell a bigger story. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been at least 771 human cases reported across 39 states as of September 9. Alarmingly, 490 of those cases were neuroinvasive, meaning they affected the brain or spinal cord, and were potentially life-threatening.West Nile Virus: The Most Common Mosquito-Borne IllnessWest Nile virus remains the most common mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States, according to Vector Disease Control International. Most infected people never develop symptoms, but those who do may experience fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. In about 1 in 150 cases, the virus causes brain inflammation or meningitis, which can be deadly.Older adults and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of severe complications. “Protecting yourself is especially important for people who are more at risk,” CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook emphasized, urging the public to use repellent, wear long sleeves, and drain standing water near their homes.Also Read: West Nile Virus Spotted In Weld County Mosquitoes, Here’s What You Need To KnowWhy This Outbreak Is ConcerningThis year’s surge is not random. Mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet conditions. Longer, hotter summers and heavier rainfall, both linked to climate change, mean longer breeding seasons and more stagnant pools where larvae grow."It's always worse in the summer because that's when the mosquito population is at its highest," said Dr. Amy Edwards, an infectious disease specialist at University Hospitals in Cleveland, as reported in The Cool Down. She added that Ohioans face a very different risk today than a generation ago: “For people who grew up in Ohio, mosquitoes and ticks didn't used to carry disease here. Across the U.S., the rate of mosquito-borne illness is going up.”The trend isn’t limited to West Nile. Lyme disease has been spreading to areas previously considered too cold for ticks, and dengue fever has reemerged in Florida, all signs of vector-borne diseases finding new footholds.Also Read: Parkinson’s Mystery Cracked? Study Finds Brain Cells May Be Burning Themselves OutSeason Isn’t Over YetPublic health officials stress that the danger is far from gone. “Infections can continue to occur until the first hard frost of the season, which is likely still many weeks away,” said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Massachusetts’ public health commissioner, in a recent advisory. He urged people to remain vigilant, as mosquito activity remains high through early fallThe CDC updates its case counts biweekly through ArboNET, a national arboviral surveillance system. The agency notes that symptoms can take between two to fourteen days to appear after a mosquito bite, and in people with weaker immune systems, it can take even longer.Prevention Remains the Best DefenseThere is currently no specific treatment for West Nile virus. For most, recovery involves managing symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids or even respiratory support.Health experts recommend taking steps to minimize mosquito exposure:Use EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.Eliminate standing water in flowerpots, gutters, and other outdoor containers.Ensure window and door screens are intact to keep mosquitoes out.West Nile Virus In The USWest Nile virus, first detected in the U.S. in 1999, is now a recurring part of late summer and early fall. Its growing prevalence serves as a warning of how climate change, urbanization, and changing ecosystems can amplify public health threats.As the season continues, experts urge residents to stay proactive rather than complacent. The mosquito buzzing around your backyard may be more than an annoyance, it could be carrying a virus that has sickened hundreds this year and shows no sign of stopping.
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