Mosquito bite likely to blame for first case of rare virus in Tuscarawas County since 2021
UHRICHSVILLE – A 66-year-old Uhrichsville man recently got sick from a mosquito-borne disease that hadn’t been seen in Tuscarawas County in four years.
County Health Commissioner Katie Seward says it is the first human case of La Crosse virus here since 2021 and likely the first in Ohio this year. She says the patient developed viral meningitis and was hospitalized but is home now recovering.
Seward says no one should panic, but she is asking Uhrichsville and county residents to take precautions.
She recommends using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves and pants when possible. She also asks residents to reduce breeding grounds by emptying standing-water receptacles, especially discarded tires.
The type of mosquito that carries La Crosse – the Eastern tree hole mosquito – breeds in pools of water in tree holes, so Seward says to fill tree holes with dirt or sand to eliminate those breeding grounds.
The Health Department plans to spray for mosquitos in Uhrichsville Monday night. Residents can submit a no-spray request for their property by calling or emailing the health department.