State health officials on Thursday reported nine more “probable” cases of Ohio residents infected by West Nile virus. But none involve people from southwest Ohio.

ONLINE CHAT

Chris Eddy, director of environmental health for the Hamilton County General Health District, chats about West Nile Virus Monday at 12:30 p.m. at Cincinnati.com

        The Ohio Department of Health has been sent blood samples from a man being treated at Mercy Franciscan Western Hills Hospital who might have been infected by West Nile virus. But state test results were not complete Thursday and were not expected until today or possibly next week.

        Statewide, Ohio's first two “probable” human cases were reported Aug. 14, but confirmation test results from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not expected until next week, said ODH spokesman Kristopher Weiss.

        The 13 probable cases come from 160 human samples tested since May.

        Nine victims are from Cuyahoga County, two from Clark County and one each from Franklin and Athens counties. Eight are females, five are males.

        Public health officials continue to say that serious illness from West Nile virus, including potentially fatal encephalitis, remains rare. People over 50 and those with weak immune systems are at highest risk.

        So far, however, eight of Ohio's 13 probable cases involve people under 50 — ages 49, 48, 45, 43, 40, 34, 25 and 9.

        Mr. Weiss said there is no explanation so far for the infections among younger people.

        Since May, the state has tried to limit lab testing only to people who had required hospital care for unidentified viral infections. Even so, it is not clear how sick the 13 victims had become, Mr. Weiss said.

        None have died. But some have been much sicker than others. And some are still in hospitals.

        “It is still true that people over 50 are at the highest risk of suffering serious health problems,” Mr. Weiss said.

        In Cincinnati, officials said a man awaiting West Nile test results remains in good condition at the hospital.

        The hospital would not say how long he has been in the hospital nor release other details.

        The man has not given the hospital permission to discuss his case and has said he did not want to be interviewed, said hospital spokesman Aaron Bley.

        Nationwide, as of Thursday, the CDC reports 296 “confirmed/probable” human cases of West Nile virus in 16 states and the District of Columbia. So far, 14 deaths have occurred: one in Kentucky, eight in Louisiana, three in Mississippi, and one each in Illinois and Texas.

        Given that West Nile virus has been detected in dead birds and mosquitoes in many parts of the Tristate, it is likely that an unknown number of human infections also have occurred.

        A few serious illnesses, even one or two deaths, would not be surprising, said Malcolm Adcock, Cincinnati health commissioner.

        To reduce infection risk, officials recommend using repellant containing DEET and wearing long sleeves. Property owners also are urged to eliminate stagnant water.

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