HAMILTON COUNTY -- Four Hoosiers have tested positive for West Nile virus so far this year.
The Indiana State Department of Health has recorded one case in each of Bartholomew and Lake counties and two cases in Hamilton County as of Wednesday.
The health department says they expect to see more human cases in the coming months because fall is the time of year when West Nile activity peaks.
Mosquitos in multiple central Indiana counties have tested positive for the virus including Marion, Tippecanoe and Hamilton counties, although many of them have not had any reported human cases.
To protect yourself against West Nile, the Indiana State Health Department suggests the following:
- 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-methane-diol to clothes and exposed skin
- Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves, and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home
West Nile virus can cause West Nile fever, a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. 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 death. People who think they may have West Nile virus should see a healthcare provider.
RELATED | Mosquitos with West Nile found in Tippecanoe County | REPORT: Indianapolis 20th most mosquito-infected city in the US
The health department also warns that mosquitos breed in standing water and that even a container as small as a bottle cap can become a breeding ground for the insect.
State health officials recommend the following steps to help reduce the risk of mosquitos breeding near your home:
- Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water.
- Repair failed septic systems.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
- Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.
- Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains.
- Frequently replace the water in pet bowls.
- Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically.
- Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish
RELATED | Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus found in Marion County | REPORT: Indianapolis 20th most mosquito-infected city in the U.S.| Mosquitoes with West Nile found in Tippecanoe County| First 2017 cases of West Nile Virus in humans reported in Indiana
