Clinton County was the first Indiana county this year to collect a mosquito sample that tested positive for West Nile Virus. Since then, 77 mosquito pools in 45 counties have tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness. Fortunately, Clinton County has not been one of them.
“Fifteen years or so ago West Nile was pretty rare in Indiana” says Rodney Wann, administrator of the Clinton County Health Department. “Now it’s pretty much endemic in every county in our state. So testing is critical in helping us to watch their movement and determine where and what the threat is to our residents.”
The Indiana Department of Health hires interns from Purdue University each summer to set up gravid traps to test for West Nile Virus throughout the state. Gravid traps, tubs filled with a pungent mixture of water and alfalfa, specifically target female mosquitoes looking for sites to lay their eggs. A battery driven fan then collects the mosquitos into a net. After 24 hours, interns freeze and sort the mosquitos before sending them off to be tested for West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, and La Crosse Virus.
“The best way to combat mosquito-borne illnesses and safeguard public health is to be proactive,” Wann adds. “Everyone should make efforts to reduce mosquito breeding sites around their home, keep their gutters clean, and use mosquito repellents when they’re outdoors.”
Mosquitos will continue to breed through the first hard freeze. About 80 percent of people infected with West Nile Virus will not develop any symptoms. About 20 percent of people will develop a fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. If you think you may have West Nile Virus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.