West Nile Virus Detected Early in Indiana: Health Officials Urge Public to Take Precautions

Health officials are sounding the alarm after the Indiana Department of Health confirmed its first mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) significantly earlier than usual. While positive cases are typically seen in late summer or early fall, this year’s surveillance is showing signs of concern already in early July.

Chris Boling, Environmental Specialist with the Washington County Health Department, is asking residents to take immediate precautions to help reduce mosquito populations and protect themselves from bites.

“We normally don’t see these issues until September or October,” said Boling.

According to Lee Green, Senior Medical Entomologist with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), unusually hot weather has accelerated mosquito activity and the spread of West Nile Virus. The IDOH Entomology team has now transitioned from tick monitoring to full statewide mosquito surveillance.

So far this season:

• IDOH has tested 7,474 mosquitoes across 126 sample pools.

• Two pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Clark and Hamilton counties.

• Marion County has also reported four positive mosquito pools.

• St. Joseph County has reported none, while Hamilton County has confirmed one positive pool from their own testing.

While no positive pools have yet been identified in Washington County, officials warn that the risk is growing across the state.

“The risk of West Nile Virus is still low in Indiana,” said Green, “but this is the time to slow down amplification by reducing mosquito breeding and promoting prevention.”

How to Protect Yourself

Residents are advised to take the following steps to reduce their risk:

• Seal your home: Ensure windows and doors are tightly sealed and that all screens are in good repair.

• Dump standing water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. Empty birdbaths, old tires, buckets, gutters, and plant saucers regularly.

• Use mosquito repellent: Apply EPA-registered insect repellent, especially if outdoors during dawn or dusk when Culex mosquitoes—the primary WNV carriers—are most active.

• Report problem areas: If there is standing water on your property that cannot be emptied, call the Washington County Health Department and choose option 4 to reach the Environmental division.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, recently released a public awareness video encouraging Hoosiers to take mosquito control seriously, and IDOH has launched a new mosquito surveillance dashboard for the public. The dashboard is updated every Tuesday and Friday with the latest data and regional trends.

Why It Matters

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States. Most people infected show no symptoms, but in rare cases, it can cause severe illness or even death. Individuals over 60 or those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.

For additional information or assistance, residents can contact the Washington County Health Department at (812) 883-5603.