INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana health officials said Friday that the first human case of West Nile virus of the season had been reported in Porter County.
So far, 18 Indiana counties are affected for the virus including eight in central Indiana.
Those counties are: Allen, DeKalb, Delaware, Dubois, Greene, Hamilton, Howard, Jefferson, LaGrange, Lake, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pike, Rush, Steuben, Sullivan and Vanderburgh.
Health officials urged Hoosiers to take precautions.
"You can prevent these diseases by taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites," said State Health Commissioner Dr. William VanNess.
You can reduce the change of contracting West Nile by avoiding being outside when mosquitoes are most active, generally during the late afternoon, early morning and from dusk until dawn.
Insect repellant should be used, and you can install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
You can also cut the risk by wearing pants and long-sleeve shirts, particularly when in wooded or marshy areas.
West Nile virus symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, a rash and swollen lymph glands in mild forms.
More severe forms of West Nile can cause encephalitis or meningitis.
You can curb mosquito breeding grounds by discarding old tires or other stale water containers outside, repairing failed septic systems, keeping grass short and shrubs trimmed, cleaning clogged gutters and replacing water in pet bowls and birdbaths frequently.