Although local transmission of Zika virus through the bite of a mosquito has not been identified in the continental United States, the U.S. mainland does have Aedes species mosquitoes that can become infected with and spread Zika virus. To date, only two species of Aedes mosquito have been identified as having the potential to transmit the virus to people – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Aedes aegypti is not established in Ohio and is only found in states along the Gulf Coast. Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian Tiger mosquito, is only rarely found in Northeast Ohio.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health will continue to work with the Ohio Department of Health Zoonotic Disease program and will conduct adult mosquito surveillance to monitor for mosquitoes that may transmit the Zika virus.
The CDC has been monitoring the Zika virus and has provided the information found on our Zika Virus Fact Sheet.
More information can be found on the CCBH website.