West Nile Virus Increases across the State

Posted on August 31, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

Officials with the Indiana State Department of Health are keeping an eye on the West Nile Virus activity in the state.

As of Aug. 18, 261 pools of water tested positive for the West Nile Virus in 58 counties this year. According to statistics compiled by the Indiana State Department of Health, three mosquito infections were separately reported in Starke County, La Porte County and Fulton County. One mosquito infection was reported in Porter County while there were no reports in Marshall County or Pulaski County.

The number of cases reported to the state so far this year has surpassed the totals in 2016.

One human case of West Nile Virus was confirmed in Hamilton County and another in Lake County. Horses in Adams and LaGrange Counties are infected.

State health officials expect to see the number of cases rise until the first hard freeze of the year. Residents are urged to use mosquito repellent with DEET for protection. Rid properties of any objects that hold water to avoid a possible breeding ground for mosquitoes.