Union County Health Department

       6 West South Street - Suite 2
       Liberty, IN 47353
       765-458-5393

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2008

HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT EVIDENCE OF WEST NILE VIRUS
IN UNION COUNTY

Union County health officials report that two (2) mosquito groups have tested positive for the West Nile virus.  One (1) group in Liberty and one (1) group in West College Corner. This is the first sign of the virus in Union County this year.

Dr. Clarkson, Union County Health Officer “Stresses the importance of taking appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites. There is no human vaccine and no cure for
West Nile virus infection, but it can be prevented."

Health officials recommend that residents do the following when mosquitoes are biting:

bullet Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible; or when outdoors
bullet Apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothes and exposed skin; and
bullet Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

West Nile virus is transmitted to a human by a mosquito that has first bitten an infected bird. A person who is bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms from 3 to 15 days after the bite.

Individuals over age 50 are at the greatest risk for serious illness, including disabling neurological problems.  Health officials caution that people of all ages are at risk for infection and severe illness and should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

The virus usually causes a milder form of illness, West Nile fever, which includes fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, and sometimes a rash.

The Culex mosquito, which is the primary carrier of the West Nile virus, breeds well when the weather is hot and dry.  These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, which can be found in clogged rain gutters, ditches, catch basins, and unattended pools and bird baths. Hundreds of mosquitoes can come from a fairly small amount of water, like in a discarded tire or an unattended flowerpot.

Health officials urge residents to remove standing water from their property to avoid having mosquitoes breed around their homes.

Updates on positive results for West Nile virus surveillance maps are available at: http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/wnv_in_mosquito.html

 

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Last modified: 12-31-08