(LINTON) - Greene County Health Department Environmental Health Specialist, Mark Miller, has verified that a mosquito pool in Linton tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
The Greene County Daily World reports, the sample was taken on July 16 from the Linton Sewage Plant.
Miller says that there have been 17 positive pool samples tested in 13 counties across Indiana.
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the West Nile Virus is transmitted when a mosquito that has first bitten an infected bird bites a human.
A person who has been bitten by an infected mosquito may start showing symptoms three to fifteen days after the bite.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, sore joints, and/or confusion.
The ISDH has given these tips to protect you and your family from biting mosquitos:
- Use an insect repellant containing DEET.
- Repair failed septic systems.
- Drill drainage holes in containers to avoid standing water.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time.
- Make sure all windows and doors have screens.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure.
- Keep grass cut short.
- Keep cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools.
For more information on the West Nile Virus, visit in.gov/isdh.
Have a question or comment about a news story? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.org