West Nile Virus Detected in Indiana Counties

Officials Warn Residents to Take Precautions

Mosquito-Borne Illness Can Cause Serious Health Problems

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has detected West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected in Anderson and Pendleton.

WNV is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and rash. In severe cases, WNV can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).

There is no specific treatment for WNV, but most people recover within a few weeks. However, some people may experience long-term effects, such as fatigue, weakness, and memory loss.

The ISDH is urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from WNV:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Avoid being outdoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Remove standing water from your property, where mosquitoes can breed.
• Repair or replace screens on windows and doors.

For more information about WNV, please visit the ISDH website at https://www.in.gov/isdh/24499.htm.