Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Elkhart County

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Mosquitoes in southern Elkhart County have tested positive for the West Nile virus. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT Interns

Story Created: Sep 22, 2008 at 1:56 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 24, 2008 at 10:10 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — The recent heavy rains are bringing back a summertime pest — mosquitoes.

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West Nile virus is also a concern for the Elkhart County Health Department.

"I'd tell people to take precautions anywhere in northern Indiana," said the health department's John Hulewicz.

State testing found mosquitoes with West Nile in southern Elkhart County.

"[Heavy late summer rains] washed out potentially some breeding spots. But it probably created some new ones,” explained Hulewicz. “So what it’s done is provided an opportunity for an additional life cycle or two."

Hulewicz says it is not uncommon for people to become infected, even when it seems like mosquito activity is non-existent.

And Elkhart County resident Becky Boomershine isn't taking any chances.

“I would probably be more prone to wear repellent now that there’s more West Nile,” she told WSBT News.

“As long as it stays warm as it is, and we get these nice nights, we're going to see some additional mosquitoes occurring here in the next week or two,” said Hulewicz.

State health officials also collected mosquito samples from Lagrange County and found several tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This disease can prove fatal to horses that are infected by a mosquito bite.

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