Coshocton Public Health District reports confirmed case of La Crosse

The Coshocton Public Health District (CPHD) is reporting a confirmed human case of La Crosse virus in a Coshocton County resident. This is the first case of La Crosse virus in a Coshocton County resident since 2022. An average of 20 cases per year are reported in Ohio. The patient was hospitalized and is now recovering at home. CPHD has taken proactive measures to trap and test mosquitoes in Coshocton County.

CPHD officials encourage Coshocton County residents to follow these guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health to take an active part in preventing the spread of disease and reducing the mosquito population:

• Use insect repellent when you go outdoors, and when weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent will provide extra protection.
• Follow these tips to reduce mosquito activity in and around your property: install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside; use your air conditioning, if you have it; and help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths at least every three days. Fill tree holes with dirt, sand, or a pliable insulation cement to prevent mosquito breeding.

La Crosse is a viral disease spread to people by the bite of an infected Aedes triseriatus (Eastern tree hole) mosquito. Tree hole mosquitoes are generally found in woodland/forested environments, and are rare in open areas. They prefer to lay eggs in pools of water found in tree holes, but will also lay eggs in man-made water-holding containers, particularly discarded tires. Their eggs can live through the winter when located in dry sites and become active with water in spring. The females most often feed on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Main hosts for this mosquito are the eastern chipmunk, the gray squirrel, and fox squirrels. This mosquito type is also a known vector of canine heartworm, meaning it can transmit the heartworm parasite to dogs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many people infected with the La Crosse virus have no apparent symptoms. For those who do, symptoms typically begin five to 15 days after a mosquito bite and include nonspecific symptoms such as: Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy.

Severe disease most often occurs among children less than 16 years old and is characterized by: Seizures, coma, paralysis, and a variety of neurologic complications after recovery.

Death from infection with the La Crosse virus is rare and occurs in less than 1% of cases. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat La Crosse. You can reduce your risk of infection by preventing mosquito bites.