Three N. Ky. Residents Contract West Nile Virus

Friday, September 14, 2018 at 9:25 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

WNV was already known to be present in mosquitoes in the region.

(Undated) - Three human cases of West Nile virus have been diagnosed in northern Kentucky.

The three individuals have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne illness since July, the Northern Kentucky Health Department announced Thursday.

Residents are urged to practice mosquito bite prevention behaviors that can reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus. Key prevention tips include using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Steps should also be taken to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, usually found in standing water.

Only about one in five people who contract the virus ever develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and rashes. In rare cases - about one out of 150 – people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Hamilton County, Ohio had its first human WNV case of 2018 diagnosed in August.

No infected mosquitoes or humans have been found in southeastern Indiana yet this summer, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.