West Nile Virus Found In Lawrence County

Last updated on Monday, August 22, 2016

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Health Department has confirmed that a pool of mosquitoes collected in Bedford tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

The sample was collected on Aug. 5 near the Bedford Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Indiana State Department of Health, which tests samples, confirmed that it was positive for the virus.

According to a press release from the state, there has been only one confirmed case of human West Nile virus in the state and that was in Marion County.

Officials say mosquitoes from Marion, Hamilton, Jennings, Benton and Lawrence counties now have tested positive for West Nile.

West Nile Virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. A small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis. Health officials report individuals age 50 and over are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus. However, people of all ages can be and have been infected with the virus.

Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in seven to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place.

To prevent West Nile infestation:

Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans.
Check for items that might hold water including barbecues, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, boats, canoes and trash.
Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when the bugs are most active.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Use only 10 percent DEET on children, and make sure everyone washes their hands well so that they do not get any creme in their eyes or mouth. Follow directions carefully.

More information on West Nile can be found on the ISDH website: www.in.gov/isdh/23592.htm.

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