Local health officials urge caution as West Nile virus detected in Clay County

West Nile virus activity has been detected in multiple pools in Clay County mosquitoes, specifically near Brazil in north central Clay County.

The Indiana Department of Health and Clay County Health Department recommend taking precautions against mosquito bites to reduce the risk of disease cause by mosquito-borne viruses, which in addition to West Nile include eastern equine encephalitis (Triple-E) and La Crosse virus.

State and local health officials recommend that all Hoosiers take the following steps to prevent mosquito-borne-diseases:

• Use insect repellent. Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone according to the label instructions.

• Wear protective clothing. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Consider treating clothing wand gear with a permethrin product. Note: Permethrin products should not be applied directly to the skin.

• Know when to expect mosquito bites. The culex species of mosquito is mostly responsible for WNV and is active mostly between dusk and 1 a.m., as well as at dawn. Taking precautions to avoid bites between dusk and dawn is recommended.

Furthermore, homeowners, landlords and property managers should take the following steps to control mosquitos indoors and outdoors:

• Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair.

• Look for containers that could hold water such as trash, tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers.

• Prevent mosquitos from accessing containers. This can be done by removing trash, moving items indoors, covering or overturning items not in use, drilling holes in the bottom of trash containers, installing screens on rain barrels, replacing water in pet bowls daily and flushing birdbaths, fountains and other containers at least once a week.

• Maintain properties and landscaping in good condition. This includes regularly servicing septic systems, keeping grass mowed and shrubs trimmed, cleaning gutters regularly and aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with predatory fish.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, which can include fever, headaches, body aches, join pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Some people infected with West Nile virus will develop a more sever form of the disease affecting the nervous system, including inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, muscle paralysis or even death. People older than 60 years old and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of sever West Nile virus disease. People who think they may have West Nile should see their health care providers.