For more information about mosquito control, contact the Marion County Health Department at (317) 221-7440.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For immediate release August 29, 2006 Contact: John T. Althardt, (317) 221-2316

Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus Continues to Increase

Marion County Health Department mosquito control technicians are seeing an increased intensity in mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus. The Marion County Health Department has documented 29 sites testing positive for mosquitoes with the virus. To date, 70 groups of mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus have been taken from the 29 sites. Local health officials say this has been a fairly normal mosquito season so far.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Marion County.

Health officials say the information they are gaining from testing shows mosquitoes are active and many are carrying the West Nile virus. Local residents are encouraged to protect themselves when going outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active. Wearing long sleeve shirts, long sleeve pants and using a repellent with the ingredient D.E.E.T. will lower the risk of being bitten.

Sites testing positive include:

10502 E. 75th St. in Lawrence Township

6850 Dean Rd. in Washington Township

3201 Richardt Ave. in Warren Township*

11000 W. Washington St. in Center Township*

30th St. and Mitthoefer Rd. in Warren Township

5620 Fall Creek Parkway North Dr. in Lawrence Township*

3301 Kentucky Ave. in Decatur Township

2301 W. 61st St. in Pike Township

8606 Morgantown Rd. in Perry Township*

8010 E. 21st St. in Warren Township

2001 E. 71st St. in Washington Township

4001 E. 21st St. in Center Township*

5155 Shadeland Ave. in Warren Township

4206 Pleasant Run Pkwy S. Dr. in Center Township

2700 S. Harding St. in Center Township

5960 S. Oakcrest Dr. in Franklin Township

7800 W. 56th St. in Pike Township

56th and Kingsley Dr. in Washington Township

5418 Linwood Ave. in Perry Township

9919 E. Southport Rd. in Franklin Township

3043 W. 69th St. in Pike Township

3690 Lafayette Road in Center Township

201 S. Bridgeport Rd. in Wayne Township and

11th and Hoyt in Wayne Township

Butler University*

630 Bloomfield Dr. in Franklin Township

1475 S. Illinois in Center Township

6129 Mooresville Road in Decatur Township

603 E. Dudley Avenue in Perry Township

*denotes multiple positive tests from site.

Marion County residents are encouraged to take a five-minute walk around their home to check for any containers capable of holding water. Health officials have found mosquito eggs in a teaspoon of water inside a discarded Styrofoam coffee cup.

The Marion County Health Department offers free educational materials, free mosquito fish and other services through its Mosquito Control program. Anyone with questions concerning mosquitoes can contact the health department at 221-7440.