By Herald Staff

A sample of mosquitoes recently tested positive for the West Nile virus in Dubois County, and the Dubois County Health Department is reminding residents to stay vigilant in protecting themselves from the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

The department encourages everyone in the county to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes by following these simple steps: apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothes and exposed skin; wear light colored clothing; avoid wet, highly vegetative areas where mosquitoes live; and avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible.

Some simple steps to prevent mosquitoes from breeding are:

• Eliminate areas of standing water on your property

• Repair failing septic systems

• Remove any containers that will hold water

• Clean your clogged gutters

• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed. Tall vegetation is an excellent harborage area for mosquitoes

• Keep swimming pools chlorinated and clean

• The basic rule is; if water lasts more than 4 days mosquitoes can reproduce. Even a small bucket can produce up to a 1,000 mosquitoes in just a few days.

Some symptoms of West Nile virus are: high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness or paralysis, nausea, vomiting, confusion.

West Nile virus can also infect domestic animals like horses. The virus is very serious and often fatal in horses. It is very important to contact your veterinarian to get your horse immunized if you haven’t already.