Marion County confirms first human case of West Nile Virus

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Marion County Health Department has confirmed the county’s first Human Case of West Nile Virus of the year.

According the Indiana State Department of Health there are only two confirmed cases, one in Marion County and one in Allen County.

Marion County has seen a total of 52 cases since 2002. Five of those cases resulted in a human death.

Health officials encourage residents to identify possible mosquito breeding ground, generally any container capable of holding water.

“Clogged gutters, old tires, swimming pools, garden ponds, buckets and literally anything that can hold water is a potential mosquito breeding site,” said Chuck Dulla, administrator of the Marion County Health Department Mosquito Control program.

Residents are advised to wear long sleeves and pants if going outside an hour prior to sunset and cover any exposed skin with a bug repellant containing DEET.