By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
INDIANA – West Nile Virus has been reported in several counties across Indiana, but, for now, Wabash County is not one of them.
As of June 23, two human cases of have been documented in Hamilton and Lake counties while mosquitoes in Tippecanoe, Morgan, Clark, Pike and Knox counties have tested positive for the virus.
Wabash City Street Department began trapping mosquitoes for testing the weekend of June 24, according to Justin Adams, department official responsible for trapping.
By trapping, the local street department is “looking just for a number count for the most part and then we’ll take them to our guy who takes them to the state department of health for testing,” Adams told The Paper of Wabash County. “We set the trap out for a night once a week and then we’ll take them to our guy on Tuesday (June 27).
“I think we’re down (in mosquito population) this year. Last year, I think we were starting to spray in the next week or so, and as of now we won’t be.”
This year, Wabash County and northern Indiana has experienced a longer rain season than years prior, which, in terms of mosquitoes, is a good thing for area residents, according to Adams.
“The rain actually helps cycle out the standing water in areas that collect it,” he explained. “If you had big areas that really flooded, you’d have a lot of stagnant water and then it would be a problem, but there’s really no flooding going on (currently).”
Mosquitoes breed in standing water and can propagate in a container even as small as a bottle cap. The insect’s eggs will then hatch in approximately seven to 14 days if given the opportunity, Adams continued.
“It doesn’t take long so that’s why we say if you flush out your fountains and birdbaths every seven days,” he said. “It doesn’t take long at all. They need that water to survive. Once you dump that bird bath, they’re dead.”
State health department officials said they expect to continue to see increased WNV activity throughout the state as the mosquito season progresses, according to a department press release.
“Unfortunately, West Nike disease is a common occurrence in Indiana during mosquito season,” Jerome Adams, state health commissioner, said. “When we find evidence of the virus in multiple counties, that means the risk is starting to increase statewide. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites and eliminating breeding grounds are the best ways to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.”
Most people who get infected with WNV will have no symptoms or mild symptoms while a few individuals will have a more severe form of the disease, according to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).
The more severe form of WNV includes encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, the inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.
WNV symptoms that may be present in a person infected by the virus include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness or paralysis, and confusion.
The virus can cause West Nile Fever, a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headaches, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash, according to ISDH officials.
The best way to decrease the likelihood of WNV spreading is prevention through utilizing healthy outdoor habits and reducing mosquito breeding grounds.
The Wabash Street Department will have the mosquito testing results back in approximately two weeks, but until then the organization is encouraging locals to do their part to keep the population down and to stay safe.
“Take precaution now. Don’t wait until we report it,” Scott Richardson, Wabash Street Department superintendent, said.
“Yes and keep your area picked up,” Adams said. “That’s the biggest part.”
Recommended preventative measures include:
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active, which is typically in the late afternoon, from dusk to dawn and in the early morning.
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin.
• Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
To reduce breeding grounds around the home or personal property, the ISDH recommends the following:
• Discard old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, 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 short and shrubbery trimmed. Also, fill in or drain any low places in the yard, such as puddles or ruts. Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that could hold water with sand or concrete.
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains. Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater.
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls.
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths as well as change water in plant pots and drip trays every seven days.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish.
For more information about West Nile Virus, visit www.in.gov/isdh/23599.htm.