ODH reports 2012’s first human death in a West Nile virus case

COLUMBUS – Ohio’s first human death in a 2012 West Nile virus (WNV) case was reported Aug. 29 by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), which also continues to see widespread WNV human infection. The 76-year-old Hamilton County man was hospitalized with encephalitis.

“We continue to see growing numbers of human cases of West Nile Virus infection and positive mosquito samples throughout the state,” said ODH director Ted Wymyslo, M.D. “Ohioans should remain vigilant and take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”