A mosquito found at a trap site in Lake County has tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
The mosquito was collected on June 26, in a trap site that contained no more than 50 of the insects. Officials said that it "is likely that positive West Nile virus mosquitoes are present throughout the county."
Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been reported in 14 counties across the state this summer, officials said. No cases of a human infected with West Nile virus have been reported.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, about 80 percent of people that become infected with West Nile will not exhibit any symptoms. It usually takes between two and 14 days for symptoms to become evident.
About 20 percent of people who are infected by the virus can experience symptoms that can last for several days to several weeks, health officials said.
The symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen lymph glands
- Rash on chest, stomach or back
Only one of about every 150 people who become infected with the virus usually develop a serious illness, but the symptoms can last weeks and the neurologic effects may be permanent.
The severe symptoms include:
- High fever
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Stupor
- Disorientation
- Coma
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Muscle weakness
- Vision loss
- Numbness
- Paralysis
There is around a 10 percent fatality rate for individuals who are diagnosed with a severe illness relating to West Nile exposure, officials said. The risk is higher for patients who have developed West Nile encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis.
More information can be found at the Ohio Department of Health's website.
