West Nile Virus Cases Rising inโ Steuben County,Health Officials Warn
FORT WAYNE,Ind.โ (WPTA) – โค Steuben County is experiencing a notable increase in โขWest Nile Virus โขactivity this summer, โขaccording to โlocal health โคofficials. Health specialist Jason Army reports a significant jump in infected mosquitoโ pools compared to previous years.
While West Nile Virus has been present inโ Indiana โฃfor 26 years, Army says this year’sโ numbers โฃare concerning. Typically, Steuben County seesโ one to two mosquito pools โขtest โpositive for the virus annually. This โyear, โthough, six infected pools have already been identified.
“Theโ animals are the โhost of Westโ Nileโฆthe mosquitoes are theโค ones that actually transmit it to humans,” Army explained. “Animals can become affected with it, butโ they usually don’t show any signs or symptoms.”
Despiteโ the increase, Army emphasizes โขthat residents can take proactive steps to protect themselves.He โคadvises wearing long sleeves and pants when โขoutdoors, and diligently eliminating standingโฃ water sources.
“Make sure that we’re emptying any containers that hold water, like birdbaths and that,” Army said. “We wanna makeโค sure that we’re switching the water out every so frequently enough so it’s freshwater notโข stale โwater. Make sure that your screens are in your house if youโ have your windows open,โ if you have screens that don’t have holes so they don’t get inside.”
West Nileโข Virus is โคspread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. While most infections are mild, symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, โnausea, vomiting, and sometimes rash. In rare cases, the virus can โcause serious neurological illness.โข
Residentsโ are encouraged to take precautions and report any potential mosquito breeding โgrounds to the Steuben Countyโ Health Department.
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