State and local health officials are urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites after West Nile Virus activity has been confirmed in the area and region.
Continue readingOfficials from the Pulaski County Health Department are alerting the public to a case of West Nile virus in Winamac. The virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, has been confirmed in Winamac and health officials are taking immediate action to address the situation and protect public health.
Continue readingState and local health officials are urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites after the West Nile Virus has been detected for the first time this year.
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Mosquito season is here, and with it comes the risk of West Nile virus. So far this year, mosquitoes in Elkhart, Carroll, Marion, and Bartholomew counties has tested positive for West Nile, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. No human cases have been seen yet in Indiana.
Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health are keeping an eye on the West Nile Virus activity in the state.
As of Aug. 18, 261 pools of water tested positive for the West Nile Virus in 58 counties this year. According to statistics compiled by the Indiana State Department of Health, three mosquito infections were separately reported in Starke County, La Porte County and Fulton County. One mosquito infection was reported in Porter County while there were no reports in Marshall County or Pulaski County.
West Nile virus activity is on the rise across Indiana. Now, state health officials are urging Hoosiers to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.
State officials have confirmed the first cases of the West Nile Virus in Indiana. As the mosquito season progresses, the state is urging citizens to take preventive action against the virus. Continue reading
Summer may be entering its final weeks, but mosquito season continues. So far this year, 92 mosquito batches have tested positive for West Nile Virus, including two in Starke County and three in St. Joseph County. Continue reading
The Indiana State Department of Health says Starke County recently tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Two mosquito batches tested for virus in the local area returned positive results, but Starke County has not reported a human case of West Nile in 2016. West Nile is largely transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause flu-like symptoms and even death in extreme cases.
West Nile virus has been diagnosed in twelve people in Indiana so far this year, including two who have died. That’s an increase over last year when only 10 people got the virus, but state health officials says there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Continue reading
This summer’s above average amount of rainfall has been ideal for mosquito breeding. According to state health officials, West Nile Virus has been confirmed in almost 10 Indiana counties. The virus has only been spotted in mosquito samples and no avian or human infections have been reported or confirmed thus far. Continue reading
The first human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Porter County.
Mosquitoes in 18 counties have tested positive for the virus so far this year. Marshall County is one of the 18 counties, according to the Indiana Department of Health. West Nile virus may be circulating in all 92 counties and you should take precautions to protect yourself against contracting the virus.
The West Nile virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes in Marshall County but no human cases have been reported. The best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to avoid being outdoors during peak biting times which occur from the evening to early morning hours. If you need to be outside, apply mosquito repellent with DEET or wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors. Continue reading
Mosquitoes in Marshall County have tested positive for West Nile virus, but no human cases have been reported.
State health officials say mosquitoes in Pike County have also tested positive and they expect more to be found throughout the summer months. Officials indicate that it’s impossible to predict the severity of this year’s West Nile virus season as temperatures and rainfall determine the level of mosquito populations.
The recent rain means we will most likely see an increase in the number of these insects in the area. Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid weather. They are also attracted to wetlands and wooded areas.
The best way to avoid the dreaded mosquito bite is to dress in protective clothing when outdoors and to use insect repellent. However, the biggest risk with mosquitoes is contracting West Nile Virus. Continue reading
Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance, they can be dangerous!
In extreme cases, mosquito-borne diseases can be spread through a bite including West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever and Malaria. With the game preserve and state park in the area, the concentration of insects is high.
Jennifer House, DVM, director of zoonotic and environmental epidemiology at the Indiana State Department of Health, said the normal peak season for West Nile Virus is in August and September, but there is still a risk when it’s a little warmer outside and mosquitos are biting.
The Indiana State Department of Health collected and tested nearly 120,000 mosquitoes from all 92 counties for West Nile virus and Saint Louis encephalitis. No mosquitoes tested positive for the Saint Louis encephalitis.
No human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Indiana, though three counties have confirmed the presence of West Nile virus pools of mosquitoes. Allen, Adams and Hamilton counties reported to the State Department of Health that they’ve found mosquitoes that have tested positive for the virus, though no human cases have been found in the state.
