A 43-year-old man from Bellevue and a 79-year-old man from Lincoln Heights are the latest Tristate residents to die from apparent West Nile virus infections.

        The unidentified Bellevue man, who died Sept. 7, and a nonfatal case involving a 31-year-old Covington man are the first human cases of West Nile virus to be reported in Northern Kentucky, according to the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department.

        The Lincoln Heights man was the ninth probable case in Hamilton County and the county's first fatality, according to the Hamilton County General Health District.

        “I'm praying for an early, killing frost,” said Tim Ingram, Hamilton County health commissioner. “We're concerned that, even though the message has been out there, that there are still people who don't understand that they can significantly reduce their risk by eliminating standing water and protecting themselves.”

        The unidentified Lincoln Heights man, who died Aug. 28 at Bethesda North Hospital in Montgomery, died from complications of encephalitis. Preliminary tests at a local laboratory indicate he had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus, according to Hamilton County officials.

        Announcing the case was delayed for several reasons, including waiting for test results, informing relatives and having the report reviewed by various officials, Mr. Ingram said.

        Samples to confirm the case have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

        So far, Ohio has reported 153 West Nile cases and seven deaths, the fourth-highest number of cases in the country behind Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan. Locally, deaths also have included residents of Clermont and Clinton counties.

        Nationwide, the CDC reports 1,540 West Nile cases, including 71 deaths. Indiana has reported 57 cases and no fatalities, while Kentucky has reported 18 cases and three fatalities.

        West Nile virus symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen glands. Severe symptoms include severe headaches, neck stiffness, stupor and convulsions. Rare cases can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which can be fatal.

        Experts predict the illnesses will stop once the first hard frost kills the summer mosquito population. Until then, public health officials continue to recommend that people eliminate any container with water standing for more than three days — such as birdbaths, puddles in old tires, flower pots, even trash cups. People also should wear mosquito repellant containing DEET when outdoors.

        So far, Hamilton County has responded to human and horse case reports by sending crews to drop larvae-killing mosquito “dunks” in standing water as much as a mile around a victim's home. More than a dozen locations have been treated, Mr. Ingram said.

        The county also recently arranged for workers in 17 townships and villages to take a state test that certifies them to apply larvicide on public property.

        Next year, Mr. Ingram predicts a more organized mosquito control program will be ready when the mosquitoes start hatching.

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