Kosciusko County health officials are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites following the identification of a positive mosquito pool in the county.
The Indiana Department of Health located a pool of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus. The pool was found on the west side of Warsaw. The Kosciusko County Health Department was notified Friday, according to a news release from KCHD.
Health officials expect to continue to see additional West Nile virus activity as the mosquito season progresses and recommend the following measures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases:
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitos are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early morning;
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-methane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
• Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitos are especially active, such as wooded areas;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos out of the home.
Even take a container as small as a bottle cap can become a mosquito breeding site, so residents should take the following steps to eliminate potential breeding sites:
• Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut shore and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically;
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.
West Nile virus can cause West Nile fever, a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. Some people will develop a more severe 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 are at higher risk of severe West Nile virus disease. People who think they may have West Nile virus should see their healthcare providers.
