(La Porte County, IN) - West Nile Virus has turned up in La Porte County.

 

The County Health Department made the announcement on Thursday that a pool of mosquitos sampled on June 30 tested positive for West Nile, as confirmed by the Indiana State Department of Health.

 

Health officials say the species most likely to transmit the virus prefers to breed in containers. So watch for bird baths, clogged gutters, empty flower pots, and any other places of standing water. Also these infected mosquitoes prefer to bite around dusk and dawn. So be extra vigilant with bug repellant at these times of day.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 20% of people infected with West Nile Virus develop flu-like symptoms, which usually start within a week of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Less than 1% of infections result in severe illness that affects the central nervous system, requires hospitalization, or results in death. People most at risk of severe illness are the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions.

 

For additional information, contact Kristine Happel Collin with the La Porte County Health Department at 219-326-6808 ext. 2200 or 219-874-5611.