The Bartholomew County Health Department says mosquitoes collected in Bartholomew County have tested positive for the West Nile virus. This is the first time this year that a positive test has been reported in the county.
The health department is concentrating mosquito control efforts in areas where the positive tests were detected.
The health department is asking residents to:
- Take precautions when outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET, per manufacturer’s directions
- Make sure your property is free of standing water, which may serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Check flower pots, buckets, old tires and clogged gutters.
- Homeowners should repair any malfunctioning septic systems that are discharging sewer water to the surface and this is another area that mosquitoes use as a breeding ground.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to a human by a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird. A person may show symptoms from three to 15 days after the bite.
Most people who are infected will have no symptoms or mild symptoms.
The virus may cause a more severe form of the disease, causing encephalitis or meningitis, with symptoms of high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness, paralysis and confusion.
Severe disease is most often present in individuals older than age 50 and those with weakened immune systems.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
