For the First Time in 2025, A Person in Indiana Has West Nile virus
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind.–For the first time in 2025, a person in Indiana has contracted the West Nile virus.
In a Tuesday news release, the Indiana Department of Health said that the individual with West Nile is in Vanderburgh County. No additional information about the case will be released to protect patient privacy.
“We have already had mosquitoes test positive for WNV this season,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “With large amounts of recent rainfall and projected high temperatures continuing this week, Hoosiers in all parts of the state should take steps to remove breeding sites around their homes.”
West Nile virus activity has also been detected in mosquitoes throughout the state (56 samples taken from 15 counties).
11 people in Indiana got infected with West Nile virus in 2024.
Taking precautions against mosquito bites can reduce the risk of disease caused by mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis (triple-E) virus, and La Crosse virus.
Steps to prevent mosquito-borne diseases include:
-Use insect repellent. Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone according to the label instructions.
-Wear protective clothing. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Consider treating clothing and gear with a permethrin product (note: permethrin products should not be applied directly to the skin).
-Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair.
-Look for containers that could hold water such as trash, tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Even a pool of water as small as in a bottle cap can breed mosquitoes.
-Prevent mosquitoes from accessing containers. This can be done by removing trash, moving items indoors, covering or overturning items not in use, drilling holes in the bottom of trash containers, installing screens on rain barrels, replacing water in pet bowls daily and flushing birdbaths, fountains, and other containers at least once a week.
-Maintain properties and landscaping in good condition. This includes regularly servicing septic systems, keeping grass mowed and shrubs trimmed, cleaning gutters regularly, and aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with predatory fish.
