Hawk Tests For West Nile Virus

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(TERRE HAUTE) - Health officials in Vigo County are concerned about West Nile after a dead hawk tested for the virus.

The health department says it's monitoring mosquito activity in the northern part of the county. Since 2002 there has been confirmed cases of West Nile in Vigo.

Health officials urge Hoosiers to wear insect repellent containing DEET, and to empty containers of standing water - outside their homes.

So far, no human cases have been found in the state of Indiana.

State health officials are notifying Northwest Indiana residents that pools of West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been found in the region, and they're asking residents to take steps to protect themselves.

So far, nine positive mosquito pools have been found in Lake County. Last year, 38 of 81 human West Nile cases in the state came from Lake, Laporte, and Porter counties.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to a human by a mosquito that has first bitten an infected bird. A person who is bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to fifteen days after the bite.

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