Latest news with #TuscarawasCountyHealthDepartment
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare mosquito-borne virus confirmed in Northeast Ohio
DOVER, Ohio (WJW) — A wet start to the year has contributed to an increase in mosquitoes this summer, including those that can transmit viruses. Area health departments have already been trapping and sending mosquitos to Columbus where testing is done for West Nile virus. PHOTOS: Ozzy Osbourne's last stop in Cleveland But the Tuscarawas County Health Department has now confirmed a case of another, more rare mosquito-borne virus. The La Crosse virus has been confirmed in a 66-year-old man from Uhrichsville. 'La Crosse is a type of virus that can cause encephalitis and that is what we are concerned with here in public health here in Tuscarawas county,' said Caroline Terakedis, director of environmental health services for the Tuscarawas County Health Department. Symptoms can occur within five to 15 days of a bite. 'If you started to have like fever and fatigue, joint pain, headaches, we would recommend that you call a physician,' said Terakedis. Though rare, the virus is transmitted by the Aedes triseriatus, or eastern treehole mosquito, that is typically found in wooded areas. They commonly multiply in small holes of trees where there is standing water. 'They are a little bit more of a shy mosquito they don't aggressively come out and bite people. It's difficult to treat standing water for them because they prefer to breed in small tiny areas like tree holes but they really like scrap tires, if you have tires improperly stored on your property they can breed there,' said Terakedis. Woman dies while running Presque Isle Half Marathon — Here's what we know In a news release, the health department says it will be responding to the positive test results 'according to best practice recommendations and will be conducting mosquito control activities in the City of Uhrichsville.' In its release, the health department says 'according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many people infected with the La Crosse virus have no apparent symptoms.' But particularly for juveniles, the symptoms can be very serious. In 2019, Fox 8 introduced you to a 9 year-old from Berlin who was treated at Akron Children's Hospital where a part of his skull was removed to relieve swelling of his brain. The Tuscarawas County Health department says there is no vaccine against the virus, and there are no medications to specifically treat La Cross Encephalitis. Terakedis says residents of Uhrichsville are at no greater risk of getting the virus than anyone else, regardless of where you may live. Report: Local football star Jeremiah Kelly's cause of death revealed in autopsy Experts say the best medicine might just be prevention. 'I think it tells us that we need to continue to take care, to make sure that we are doing what we need to do to protect ourselves and our families, to make sure that we are avoiding mosquito populations wherever possible, that we are wearing long sleeves, long pants, that we are wearing insect repellant with DEET.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tuscarawas County man infected with La Crosse virus
UHRICHVILLE, Ohio (WJW) — A Tuscarawas County man is recovering after health officials said he recently contracted the La Crosse virus. The Tuscarawas County Health Department was notified about the confirmed human case on July 17. The La Crosse virus is a viral disease that spreads to humans when bit by infected eastern tree hole mosquitoes, which typically reside in wooded and forested areas. The patient, a 66-year-old Uhrichsville man, was hospitalized after developing viral meningitis from the disease. He has since been released and is recovering at home, the health department said. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 'Cosby Show' star, dies at 54 This is Tuscarawas County's first confirmed human case since 2021, but according to health officials, Ohio reports an average of 20 cases per year. 'La Crosse virus is rare in Ohio, and we don't want anyone to panic,' said Tuscarawas County Health Commissioner Katie Seward. 'We are simply asking Uhrichsville area residents to be careful and talk with their medical providers about any health concerns.' According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with La Crosse don't have any symptoms, but people who do may experience fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Severe cases typically occur in kids under 16 years old, including symptoms like seizures, coma, paralysis and other neurological issues. The infection is deadly in less than 1% of cases, health officials said. There are no vaccines for La Crosse, health officials said, so the best way to combat the virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Why Dairy Queen can't legally call its product ice cream Residents are encouraged to use insect repellant while outdoors. They can also wear clothes that cover their skin to stay protected. In response to the confirmed case, the Tuscarawas County Health Department will be spraying for mosquitoes in Uhrichsville from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, weather permitting. Learn more about the health department's mosquito control program right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
