COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio is leading the nation this year in the number of La Crosse virus cases, a mosquito-borne illness that most commonly affects children under the age of 16.

"We're seeing a lot of cases in Ohio this year," Nationwide Children's Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Chris Ouellette said. "This has been a busier year than what we've seen in other years, but this is not something that I would consider as out of the normal from what we've seen if you go back long enough in time."

According to the Ohio Department of Health, there are currently 40 reported human cases in Ohio this year. That's double the average number of cases typically reported in the state each year.

"It happens that the virus and the type of mosquito that transmits it the best are really kind of focu

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