First Case of West Nile Virus in Cleveland Confirmed

The Cleveland Department of Public Health has confirmed its first case of West Nile virus for 2012. A 48-year-old man is currently hospitalized and confirmed to have West Nile virus encephalitis.

This means that two cases have so far been confirmed in Ohio. The first case in the state was reported in Clermont County, which is located near Cincinnati. Both cases have appeared a full month earlier than what has been seen in the past few years.

The dry, hot summer has contributed to an increase in mosquitos and virus accleration.