Marion County reports first West Nile death for 2012 - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Marion County Public Health Department reported the year's first West Nile death in the county on Monday. The health department did not release the person's name, but said the victim was a 44-year-old male.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. Some people will develop a more severe form of the disease, which can lead to encephalitis, meningitis and or flaccid muscle paralysis.

"I think it shows that any person in Indianapolis can be at risk for getting infected with the West Nile Virus," said Virginia Caine, Marion County Health Department.

Mosquito Control has been receiving up to 100 calls a day from residents concerned about mosquitoes in their yard or neighborhood. Although this year's drought has reduced the overall population of mosquitoes, a greater percentage of those insects carry West Nile.

"You can do a whole lot to significantly reduce your risk of getting infected from the virus. (Can you 100 percent eliminate that risk?) It's possible if you stay inside your home and never leave your front door," said Caine.

The Department has confirmed through laboratory testing that the West Nile Virus has been identified in mosquitoes in all nine Marion County townships. Surveillance sites located throughout the county are used to trap mosquitoes that are then tested by the health department's laboratory staff.

Gary Halverson is in the target area for mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus.

"Earlier in the year, I have had some red welts," he said.

It is not so much where he is sitting but that he has been exercising. Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide and his age puts him most at risk.

Dr. Chris Belcher, an infectious disease specialist at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, says children are not immune to West Nile Virus, but typically have a stronger immune system that will fight off the virus.

"Especially for people over 50 years old seem to be at highest risk for developing the nervous system disease," Belcher said.

Of the 150 people bitten by Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus, 80 percent will have no symptoms, 20 percent will develop flu-like symptoms, possibly some swelling or a rash. One-in-150 people bitten by mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus will have serious symptoms.

"The serious part, encephalitis, is really infection of the virus into the brain, so they lose a lot of their mental capacity and at first it maybe confusion and forgetfulness, but it can go on to be in a comatose state or having seizures or severe disease that may or may not get better," said Belcher.

Guarding against mosquitoes is your best defense. Parents and children should use repellent with DEET and reapply once an hour. That means before you go for an evening walk or go to the driving range, use a repellent.

"In fact, an active, healthy person who is outside may be at a higher risk of getting mosquito bites," said Belcher.

The Marion County Public Health Department mosquito control division continues to remind residents that there are a lot of mosquitos out there that have tested positive for West Nile Virus. "We continue to urge residents to protect themselves while they are outside. The best method is to remember the four D's. They are Dusk, Dress, DEET, and Drain, said Dr. Virginia A. Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department.

• Dusk is the best time of day to stay inside because that is when mosquitoes are active. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you're outdoors. For extra protection, you may want to spray your clothing with repellent.
• DEET is an important ingredient to look for in your insect repellent.
• Drain standing water in your back yard and neighborhood.

If you follow these steps you will minimize your exposure to mosquitoes and avoid getting bitten. Since 2002, Marion County has experienced five West Nile virus deaths and more than 50 people have become ill with the virus. In 2011, there was just one human case and no death.

(Info from Marion County Health Dept.)