First West Nile case found in Indiana this year; County mosquito spraying ongoing

A person in Indiana has contracted the West Nile virus for the first time this year.

The Indiana Department of Health announced the first case of the year in Vanderburgh County yesterday. Statewide, the West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos from around the state in 56 samples taken from 15 counties. In 2024, 11 people were infected statewide.

Earlier this week, Bartholomew County health officials explained their mosquito control efforts.

The county’s Director of Environmental Health Link Fulp was before the county commissioners Monday, requesting they approve the purchase of an electric fogger for mosquito control. He explained that the health department can treat mosquito larvae with fogging sprays in standing water when they are juveniles. But once mosquitos mature they can not be treated in the water and can only be treated in the air.

He said that the county rotates its treatment program through neighborhoods twice a week during the summer, covering 54 miles of road each month. The work is done in the evenings to spray the treatment fog.

The county has been doing mosquito spraying for juveniles since the 1970s and for adults since 2001 when it got the fogging equipment. Fulp explained that the 2015 fogger was bought with grants and a backup fogger dates back to 2001. The fogger sprays particles which are only 14 microns across, or about a sixth of the width of a human hair. It spreads about one ounce of treatment per acre.

Commissioner Tony London said he receives questions about the program and possible health concerns. But Fulp said that the chrysanthemum based chemical is less dangerous to humans than salt. He said that the county will not spray in areas where residents are opposed.

County Commissioners approved the $24,700 purchase of the fogger. Fulp said Clark Mosquito Control is the only source for the fogger as they have a proprietary machine technology.

TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report