10/01/2026
The Indiana Department of Health has confirmed West Nile Virus in Delaware County mosquitoes trapped during routine annual surveillance.
With West Nile Virus (WNV) showing positive across the state annually, WNV is here in Indiana and it's most likely here to stay. The same strategy recommended in the past applies today and each year going forward: Reduce breeding sites, avoid mosquitoes, dress to protect yourself from their bites, and wear insect repellent.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite. West Nile virus usually causes a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis. Some individuals may die from the infection. Health officials say that although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe disease.
In the past, many local health departments requested citizens report any cases of unusual dead birds. This was done in an effort to monitor and determine whether West Nile Virus was present in our area. Currently, surveillance is done by the State Department of Health, who traps and tests mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. While this is done as a confirmatory measure, it should be assumed during the mosquito season that West Nile Virus is present and is a threat. In the past, we feared it coming to Indiana… now we can basically assume it will already be established here every mosquito season. Regardless of whether the state has confirmed a case in any given year, citizens should be taking the same precautions in an effort to avoid West Nile or a number of other mosquito-borne illnesses such as Encephalitis.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated at minimum weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place. This is the critical detail that is often overlooked. If standing water throughout the city that offers breeding ground is eliminated or at least minimized, then the mosquito population can be reduced, which then reduces the risk of mosquitoes acquiring and spreading the virus. The threat of West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses is not one that can be completely eliminated. The biggest and most critical aspect of keeping Muncie and Delaware County safe from getting sick lies in the hands of our individual citizens: Eliminate and/or report breeding grounds and protect yourself from being bitten.
Here are some tips from IDOH and DCHD on what you can do to minimize the risk of West Nile Virus:
• Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans.
• Check for items that might hold water including barbecues, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, boats, canoes, tires and trash.
• Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when the bugs are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Use only 10% DEET or less on children, and make sure everyone washes their hands well so that they do not get any repellent in their eyes or mouth. Follow directions carefully. For those looking for alternative repellents, products containing picaridin and/or various natural oils such as cedar and peppermint are reported by some to be effective as well;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; and,
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.
If you've read this far, you're definitely empowered to protect yourself and those around you. We don't need to live in fear, but we do need to be cautious and respect mosquitoes as more than just a minor annoyance. Remember: WNV is here in Indiana and it's most likely here to stay. Reduce breeding sites, avoid mosquitoes, dress to protect yourself from their bites, and wear insect repellent when spending time outdoors.
