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State Confirms 10 Human Cases Of West Nile

Last updated on Thursday, August 23, 2012

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana health officials have confirmed 10 human cases of the West Nile virus statewide.

The Indiana Department of Health said cases have been identified in Allen, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Jackson, Monroe, Marion, Tippecanoe and Vanderburgh counties.

One person in the Evansville area died earlier this month after contracting the virus, health officials said.

Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in 67 Indiana counties so far this year, compared to 34 counties in 2011, health officials said.

Nationally, federal health officials said there's been an alarming increase in the number of West Nile cases with more than 1,100 cases reported through the middle of August. That's three times as many as usually seen at this point in the year, with about half the cases originating in Texas.

"Nationally, we are being hit harder than ever before, especially in some of the southern states, like Texas," Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin said in a news release. "Here in Indiana, we are seeing more counties earlier in the year with positive mosquito pools, meaning a greater risk to Hoosiers."

West Nile virus can cause an illness with symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash.

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