Health officials report third Indiana West Nile death - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A second Marion County resident has died from the West Nile Virus, bringing the total number of West Nile-related deaths in the state of Indiana to three.

The Marion County Health Department made the announcement Thursday afternoon. The health department says the number of human cases continues to rise, with ten reported cases as of Thursday in Marion County and 33 statewide.

The number of deaths from West Nile for 2012 now stands at three in the state of Indiana, with two in Marion County. The other death was reported in Vanderburgh County, near Evansville.

Since 2002, there have been over 60 human cases of West Nile Virus in the county. Last year there was one human case and no death; in 2010 there were three human cases and no death. In 2009 the health department reported one death from the disease.

West Nile is transmitted by mosquitoes. At Marion County Mosquito Control, calls are coming in and cases are piling up for West Nile. Experts say the danger is real and the numbers are almost unprecedented.

"This is as high as it's ever been, as far as the infection rate," said Mosquito Control supervisor Terry Gallagher.

The mosquito-borne virus is on track to be the most severe on record.

"We don't want people to relax. We want people to remain cautious and do the personal protection," Gallagher said.

Crews are out fogging neighborhoods nightly throughout the county, leaving a trail of protection for families. But health officials say personal safety tips are important, too.

You're advised to use insect repellent with DEET, avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, dress in long sleeves and pants and drain areas of standing water.

But Eyewitness News discovered a problem. People outside at dusk along the canal don't seem to be getting the message.

"No, not really. I don't use spray," said Steve Matchett.

"I've seen it, like the warnings and stuff, but I haven't really changed any practices," said Molly Sender.

"I haven't really done anything about it," said Dan Hogan.

"People don't hit the panic button until it happens to someone close to them," said pathologist Dr. Susie McKee. "That's always how people are. They think that it's not going to happen to them. They're not going to contract it."

But more people are contracting the disease, right here in our own community.

If you have concerns about a large mosquito population in your neighborhood, you can call Marion County Mosquito Control at 317-221-7440 and request they fog the area.

Learn more about the symptoms of West Nile Virus.

CDC West Nile - Fact sheets, tips on mosquito bite prevention and more