Marion County Mosquito Patrol out in full force as West Nile cases rise

Mosquitoes have been such a concern for Sandra Horton lately that she picked up the phone.

"I've been calling once a week because they were so bad,” said Horton, who lives in Speedway. “That neighbor over there was getting bit all the time."

Marion County Mosquito Control has responded to homes like Sandra's throughout the summer in hopes of attacking mosquito breeding areas before the problem gets worse.

"It's kind of scary with that West Nile Virus," Horton said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is also concerned about the West Nile Virus. The CDC has confirmed more than 1,100 human cases of the virus and 41 deaths nationwide. That’s the highest number at this point in the summer since West Nile was first detected in the United States in 1999.

The Indiana Department of Health has now verified 10 human cases spread across nine Indiana counties. One person died from the virus in Vanderburgh County. Marion is the only county with two cases.

Though the number of cases is still near the average for this time of year in Marion County, mosquito control experts are concerned about what they have found in mosquito traps.  Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus have already been detected in more than 120 traps. That's twice the number than they found all of last year in Marion County.

"We know the virus is out there," said Matt Sinsko with Marion County Mosquito Control.

West Nile mosquitoes have been found in traps in 67 Indiana counties, up from 34 counties last year.

"If we're finding it in mosquitoes, obviously that potential to transmit to humans is there,” Sinsko said. “That's why we want people to take precautions."

Those precautions include the usual bug spray, but also calling mosquito about bigger concerns.

Horton’s call was answered on Wednesday night. Mosquito Control sprayed in her neighborhood.

"I really appreciate it,” Sandra said. “I could buy expensive spray and spray every night, but it wouldn't be like this."

If you’d like to report a mosquito problem in Marion County, call 317-221-7440.