The Porter County Health Department (PCHD) is reporting that a mosquito pool
has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the first positive finding this
year in the county.

The PCHD did not say where the pool is located but noted that there have
been positive mosquito pools in the county since 2000.

“WE could see human cases of West Nile virus this year, Porter County Health
Officer Maria Stamp, M.D., said in a statement released last week. “There is
already evidence of West Nile virus activity throughout the state.”

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes which have first
bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show
symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.

“The virus usually results in a mild illness know as West Nile fever, which
can cause fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash,” the
statement said. “However, a small number of individuals can develop a more
severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other
neurological symptoms, including flaccid muscle paralysis.”

“In previous years, most human cases of West Nile virus were reported
between mid-July and mid-September,” Stamp said.

The PCHD is urging folks to take the following precautions when they are
outdoors:

Although persons aged 50 and over 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 statement said.