The Indiana State Department of Heath announced last week that mosquito pools in Scott County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first sign of the virus in Scott County this year, local health department officials reported.
Scott County Environmentalist Tim Brunner declined to report which specific area of the county the mosquito pools with West Nile Virus were located saying simply, “They’re in the county.”
ISDH officials said the area residents should take appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites. There is no human vaccine and no cure for West Nile Virus but it can be prevented.
Residents are urged to take the following precautions when outdoors:
•Avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn, the prime mosquito biting times.
•Apply insect repellant containing DEET.
•Where long sleeved shirts and long pants.
West Nile is transmitted by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after being bitten.
The mosquitoes that have tested positive are going to be infected as long as they are alive. Cooler temperatures will not kill the mosquitoes but a good freeze later this fall will stop the cycle However, many adult female mosquitoes—the ones that bite humans—will retire to a basement, crawlspace of other area to remain dormant until spring.
The virus usually results in a mild illness known as West Nile Fever, which can cause fever, headache, body aches, swollen glands or a rash. However a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis or other neurological syndromes.
Health officials ask residents to rid their properties of mosquito breeding grounds by not allowing water tp pond or collect.
•Drill holes in the bottom of containers left outside or turn them upside down.
•Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.
•Dispose of old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water.
•Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up drains.
Individuals over the age of 50 are at greater risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile, but people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe case of the disease,
For more information or questions contact the Scott County Health Department at 812-752-8455.