07/26/2025
Henry County Health Department Public Notice: West Nile Activity confirmed in Henry County
The Henry County Health Department traps mosquitoes within the county, to monitor for disease transmission. Mosquitoes recently collected in Henry County tested positive for West Nile Virus. As of July 26, 2025 there has been one confirmed human case of West Nile Virus in Indiana.
West Nile virus is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Although the disease is most common in the late summer months, WNV disease can occur any time during the mosquito season; which in Indiana is usually from May through October. The Indiana State Department of Health along with the Henry County Health Department would like to remind citizens to use caution when being active outside.
Protecting yourself from mosquito bites:
• Know when to expect mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit disease in Indiana usually bite during the hours from dusk to dawn.
• Wear EPA-registered insect repellents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. Not all repellents are effective against both mosquitoes and ticks. Always follow product instructions:
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old.
• Treat your clothes and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains protective through several washings. Permethrin should never be applied directly to the skin.
• Reduce the amount of exposed skin. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, hats, socks and shoes that cover the entire foot will make it more difficult for mosquitoes to bite.
Take the following steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors:
• If possible, use air conditioning rather than leaving your doors and windows open.
• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Find and remove possible mosquito breeding sites around your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Removing sources of standing water can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your property. This will protect you and your family as well as your neighbors:
• “Tip and toss:” Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that could collect water outdoors, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots and trash containers.
• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• If you have a septic tank, repair any cracks or gaps. Cover open vents or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
For more information contact the Henry County Health Department- Environmental Division by email at environmental@henrycounty.in.gov or by phone at (765) 521-7059 and select menu option 2.
