Vigo Co.: Six more West Nile sample found

VIGO CO., Ind. (WTHI) - The Vigo County Health Department has confirmed 6 more positive pools of West Nile Virus in Vigo County.

The samples of mosquitoes was collected on July 20th.

Culex mosquitoes, which can carry the West Nile virus, are container breed mosquitoes (standing water). Even a small bucket that has stagnant water in it for seven days can become home to up to 1,000 mosquitoes.

You can protect your family and community from West Nile Virus by:

• Eliminating areas of standing water available for mosquito breeding in or near your property.
• Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out of doors.  Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
• Keeping grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.
• Disposing of old tires tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other unused containers that can hold water.
• Cleaning clogged roof gutters.
• Aerating ornamental pools, or stocking them with predatory fish
• Turning over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Turning over wheelbarrows and not allowing water to stagnate in birdbaths.

How can you protect yourself ?

• If you do have to go outside during this time wear a long sleeved shirt and apply insect repellent containing DEET
• Maintain windows and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home
• Inspect and clean rain gutters
• Walk around your property and look for any containers that can hold water or have standing water-unused flower pots, wading pools, bird baths, dog dishes, or any type of container that can hold water and has been left for more than a day

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Release from the Vigo County Health Department