New mosquito born Chikungunya virus invades Ohio, USA

Common Ohio mosquitos are now spreading a serious virus with a very exotic sounding name.

By now, most of Ohio have heard about the West Nile virus but since July 4 there have been about 50 cases in the United States of a disease called chikungunya.

Two of those people were diagnosed in Ohio and infectious disease experts say that the mosquito that carries the disease is in the Tri-State.

Symptoms of the disease include fever and joint pain, headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash and start three to 7 days after a bite.

And there is no cure once the virus strikes, just a need for patience, plenty of rest, fluids and ibuprofen.

Dr. Carl Fitchenbaum a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati’s medical school says as always people should make efforts to protect themselves.

He suggests avoiding times at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves or mosquito repellant.

And even if the disease isn’t in the area yet, being prepared will prevent discomfort, as Lucy England knows. Her four-year-old son was bit multiple times days ago.

“We were at my mom’s house,” England said. “She lives in Mount Healthy and she he was out around dusk and he got about six bites on each leg and woke me up in the middle of the night crying because these bug bites itched so badly.”