According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Health, the state’s first West Nile Virus case of 2025 has been reported in Vanderburgh County, at the southern tip of the state.
While the case may be far from home, mosquitoes are not, and the Indiana Department of Health shares tips on preventing mosquito-borne diseases.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone according to the label instructions.
- Wear protective clothing such as loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants. Consider treating your clothing and gear with a permethrin product (note: permethrin products should not be applied directly to the skin).
- 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. Even a pool of water as small as in a bottle cap can breed mosquitoes.
- Prevent mosquitoes 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.
Indiana Department of Health notes that most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms which can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash.
A small number 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 years and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe West Nile virus disease.
People who think they may have West Nile virus disease should see their healthcare providers as soon as possible.
