With the detection of a dangerous mosquito-borne illness in northeast Indiana, Health officials are renewing their push to urge listeners to protect themselves against illness.
Mosquitoes recently collected in neighboring Steuben County tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Officials recommend the following steps to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:
Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing;
Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors;
Maintain window and door screens to help keep mosquitoes outside.
Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
Other mosquito-borne viruses include Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon Virus.
The diseases have been on the rise in recent years.