Indiana records first West Nile Virus case of 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana has recorded its first case of the West Nile Virus of 2024 in Lake County.

The Indiana Department of Health announced Thursday that the virus was reported for the first time this year in a Lake County resident. While this is the first example of human transmission so far this year, IDOH confirmed that West Nile Virus activity has also been found in mosquitos located in 15 separate counties across Indiana.

“Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance—their bites can potentially lead to serious illness,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver. “Hoosiers can reduce their risk by wearing bug repellent and taking steps to remove breeding sites, like standing water in discarded tires or other containers around their residences.”

While most people who test positive for West Nile virus develop zero or mild flu-like symptoms, some do go on to experience a more serious form of the virus affecting the nervous system that in some extreme cases can lead to death. Other more mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

Hoosiers can utilize insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile.

State health officials also recommend that property owners take additional precautions like installing screens on windows and doors, searching for containers that could hold water, preventing mosquitoes from gaining access to containers and maintaining the landscaping of properties.

More information on West Nile Virus can be found online here .

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