Indianapolis State health officials report two probable human cases of West Nile virus, one in Lake County and another in Randolph County. These are the first two human cases of West Nile virus infection in Indiana this year. In 2006, there were 80 cases of West Nile virus, including 5 deaths.
"West Nile virus is potentially a very serious disease," said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "We have seen cases where healthy, active individuals who become infected with the virus left devastated by the disease, including being unable to walk without assistance. I cannot underscore enough how important it is for people to take the simple steps necessary to protect themselves."
Dr. Monroe recommends that people take the following protective steps when they are outdoors:
* Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible;
* Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin; and
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
The virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.
"There is no cure for West Nile virus, but it is preventable," said Dr. Monroe. "In the past, we've seen most of the human cases in the state reported in the months of August and September, so this is an important time for people to protect themselves and their families."
State health officials say the previous hot, dry weather conditions have created the perfect breeding environment for the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
As a result, Dr. Monroe is also asking Hoosiers to take steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds by:
* Repairing failed septic systems;
* Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors;
* 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, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
* Aerating ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish; and
* Emptying containers holding water from recent rain storms.
Indianapolis State health officials report two probable human cases of West Nile virus, one in Lake County and another in Randolph County. These are the first two human cases of West Nile virus infection in Indiana this year. In 2006, there were 80 cases of West Nile virus, including 5 deaths.
"West Nile virus is potentially a very serious disease," said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "We have seen cases where healthy, active individuals who become infected with the virus left devastated by the disease, including being unable to walk without assistance. I cannot underscore enough how important it is for people to take the simple steps necessary to protect themselves."
Dr. Monroe recommends that people take the following protective steps when they are outdoors:
* Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible;
* Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin; and
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
The virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.
"There is no cure for West Nile virus, but it is preventable," said Dr. Monroe. "In the past, we've seen most of the human cases in the state reported in the months of August and September, so this is an important time for people to protect themselves and their families."
State health officials say the previous hot, dry weather conditions have created the perfect breeding environment for the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
As a result, Dr. Monroe is also asking Hoosiers to take steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds by:
* Repairing failed septic systems;
* Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors;
* 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, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
* Aerating ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish; and
* Emptying containers holding water from recent rain storms.
"West Nile virus is potentially a very serious disease," said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "We have seen cases where healthy, active individuals who become infected with the virus left devastated by the disease, including being unable to walk without assistance. I cannot underscore enough how important it is for people to take the simple steps necessary to protect themselves."
Dr. Monroe recommends that people take the following protective steps when they are outdoors:
* Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible;
* Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin; and
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
The virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.
"There is no cure for West Nile virus, but it is preventable," said Dr. Monroe. "In the past, we've seen most of the human cases in the state reported in the months of August and September, so this is an important time for people to protect themselves and their families."
State health officials say the previous hot, dry weather conditions have created the perfect breeding environment for the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
As a result, Dr. Monroe is also asking Hoosiers to take steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds by:
* Repairing failed septic systems;
* Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors;
* 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, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
* Aerating ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish; and
* Emptying containers holding water from recent rain storms.
Indianapolis State health officials report two probable human cases of West Nile virus, one in Lake County and another in Randolph County. These are the first two human cases of West Nile virus infection in Indiana this year. In 2006, there were 80 cases of West Nile virus, including 5 deaths.
"West Nile virus is potentially a very serious disease," said State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. "We have seen cases where healthy, active individuals who become infected with the virus left devastated by the disease, including being unable to walk without assistance. I cannot underscore enough how important it is for people to take the simple steps necessary to protect themselves."
Dr. Monroe recommends that people take the following protective steps when they are outdoors:
* Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible;
* Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin; and
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.
Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
The virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.
"There is no cure for West Nile virus, but it is preventable," said Dr. Monroe. "In the past, we've seen most of the human cases in the state reported in the months of August and September, so this is an important time for people to protect themselves and their families."
State health officials say the previous hot, dry weather conditions have created the perfect breeding environment for the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
As a result, Dr. Monroe is also asking Hoosiers to take steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds by:
* Repairing failed septic systems;
* Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors;
* 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, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
* Aerating ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish; and
* Emptying containers holding water from recent rain storms.
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