By HOLLY GASKILL
A recent sample test of mosquitoes in Wells County has returned positive for West Nile Virus.
The state reported its first human case of West Nile Virus on Aug. 25. At that time, 60 counties had positive samples. Since then, two more individuals have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
According to the Indiana Department of Health mosquito dashboard, three samples of 20 total pools from Wells County tested positive for West Nile Virus. Huntington, Allen, and Adams counties have also tested positive.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted through mosquito bites. A press release from IDOH stated that 80 percent of people infected with West Nile Virus will not develop any symptoms; the remaining group may experience fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, diarrhea, or rash. Less than one percent of those infected will develop serious symptoms, like permanent neurological damage or death.
Symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after being bitten. People who think they’ve been infected with West Nile Virus are advised to contact their healthcare provider.
State health officials recommend Indiana residents do their part to prevent mosquitoes, like eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed. These sources may include bird baths, flower pots, and clogged gutters, among other sources.
Additionally, officials also advised to cover skin, use bug spray, and avoiding outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active.
More information can be found on the IDOH’s mosquito dashboard, located at in.gov/health.
holly@news-banner.com
