Monroe County health officials have confirmed Wednesday the first human case of West Nile Virus seen in the county this year.
The first reported death from the virus this year in Indiana was also reported Wednesday, in Vanderburgh County.
“We are encouraging everyone to take steps to protect themselves from West Nilevirus, since so far this year, mosquitoes that carry the virus have been found in 62 counties, including Monroe,” Monroe County Health Department Administrator Penny Caudill says.
Caudill says people should take precautions against the virus by applying mosquito repellant that contains DEET, and by removing stagnant water from their property.
There is now vaccine for the virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash.
