The Marion County Public Health Department reports the first mosquitoes of the season found carrying West Nile virus. A sample of mosquitoes testing positive was collected from a surveillance trap in Warren Township.
Traps are placed in areas throughout Marion County. The Mosquito Control program checks the traps daily to monitor the local mosquito population and test for West Nile virus.
No human cases of the virus have been reported this year in Marion County.
Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease are at greater risk experiencing symptoms which include headache, body aches, joint pains or rash.
Less than one percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.
The Marion County Public Health Department reminds everyone to stay protected from mosquito bites by following the four Ds of mosquito control:
- DUSK – Stay indoors from dusk until dawn. If you do spend time outdoors….
- DRESS – Wear long sleeves and long pants when outside during these times.
- DEET – Use insect repellent containing DEET.
- DRAINAGE – Remove all standing water outside the home.
“Be sure to dump standing water in containers of any size and flush out bird baths every week,” said Matt Sinsko, coordinator of the Marion County Public Health Department’s Mosquito Control program. “Even small amounts of standing water are a potential mosquito breeding ground. Check for unused tires, clogged gutters, small recreational pools, and poorly operating septic systems.”
Anyone living in Marion County can dispose of unused tires for free on Saturday, June 11 during Tire Recycle Day, hosted by the Marion County Public Health Department in partnership with Meineke Car Care.
From 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on June 11, residents can bring up to six tires off the rim for recycling to any of the following locations:
Participating Meineke Care Care Centers in Indianapolis
North:
4101 N. Keystone Ave.
5323 W. 38th St.
6401 E. 82nd St.
East:
8410 E. Washington St.
7352 Pendleton Pike
West:
7290 W. Washington St.
South:
3150 S. Madison Ave.
4905 S. Emerson Ave.
Marion County Public Health Department
Mosquito Control
4001 E. 21st St.
Southeast Community Organization (SECO)
1925 Fletcher Ave.
For more information about Tire Recycle Day, contact Marion County Mosquito Control at 317-221-7440 or visit marionhealth.org.
SOURCE: Marion County Public Health Department