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Last updated on Thursday, September 10, 2015
(BEDFORD) - West Nile Virus has been found in Lawrence County. According to Environmental Health Specialist Brenda Cummins, a pool of mosquitoes collected in Bedford has tested positive for the virus.
The pool of mosquitoes was collected near the Bedford sewage treatment plant on August 20.
According to the State Department of Health, West Nile virus is transmitted by a mosquito that has first bitten an infected bird. A person who is bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
Culex mosquitoes, which can carry the West Nile virus, breed in places like ditches, open septic systems, discarded tires, unused wading pools, and other containers, particularly if they are in the shade.
Mosquito activity in the county remains high and everyone is encouraged to take steps to protect themselves from bites. This includes: staying inside as much as possible after dusk when mosquitoes are most active; wearing long pants and long sleeves if outside after dusk; and using a mosquito repellant containing the ingredient DEET.
Residents are also encouraged to look for - and empty - any container capable of holding water. Clogged gutters, old tires, buckets and anything that holds even a small amount of water is a potential mosquito breeding site.
Mosquitoes infected with the virus will remain active until the first hard freeze.
More information on West Nile virus can be found at www.in.gov/isdh/23599.htm.
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