The Indiana Department of Health reported 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, Scott County Health Department officials said.
ISDH officials said that residents should take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by a mosquito. There is no human vaccine to prevent and no cure for West Nile Virus but it can be prevented.
Area residents should:
•Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito times—dusk to dawn.
•Apply insect repellant containing DEET and follow label directions.
•Wear 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 3-15 days after being bitten.
It is safe to say that Hoosiers in all counties should take recommended precautions. There is a tendency for people to think that the mosquito season is over with the onset of cooler weather in the fall. However the mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile are going to be infected as long as they are alive. Cooler temperatures will not kill the mosquitoes but a good freeze will stop the cycle.
However, many adult females will move to a basement, crawl space or other suitable area and remain dormant until spring. It is important to remember that this time of year can be very dangerous because of the number of infected mosquitoes are at their peak.
It only takes one bite from one of these mosquitoes to make a human very sick.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the Center For Disease Control.
Most people with West Nile virus recover completely but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks and months, according to the CDC.