Vanderburgh County has the dubious honor of being the first of the season to report a human infection of West Nile Virus.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted through mosquito bites. So far the virus has been found in samples taken from mosquitoes in 15 Indiana Counties.
Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD) Administrator Joe Gries said WNV can be serious for some people.
“People who are over the age of 60, or who have immune systems that are compromised, they can see some harsher symptoms,” he said. “West Nile has been known to kill people.”
According to VCHD, Some people will develop a more severe form of the disease affecting the nervous system, including inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, muscle paralysis or even death.
However, Gries said most people won’t even know they have it.
Still, he recommends getting flu-like symptoms checked out, protecting yourself from mosquitoes and reducing mosquito populations around you by dumping any standing water.
“Protect yourself as much as possible,” he said. “Get rid of that standing water on your property as much as you can, so that breeding ground just doesn't continue to add to the population.”
Statewide, 738 pools have been tested for WNV; it’s been found in 56 of these already.
WNV has also been detected in several horses, according to the statewide dashboard.
More on reducing West Nile Virus
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early morning);
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol, or 2 undecanone according to the label instructions;
• Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active;
● Make sure your property is free of any standing water. Empty containers such as flowerpots, buckets, trash cans, and clogged gutters. Keep the grass cut and landscaping trimmed, as adult mosquitoes use overgrown areas as safe places to rest.
Source: VCHD
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