09/08/2026
Crawford County has positive West Nile mosquito collected this year.
On 8/20/26 during routine collections in Crawford County, the Indiana State Department of Health trapped 2 positive mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile Virus near Leavenworth. Please be vigilant in your efforts to eliminate risk factors around your home and protect yourself while outdoors.
Look around your home and identify and correct any of these harborages:
• Dispose of/empty any water-holding containers (buckets or flower pot) on your property
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected on your property. Tires are a common place for mosquitoes to breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of garbage containers that are left outdoors to allow water to drain
• Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheel barrows when not in use.
• Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
• Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
• Repair failed or discharging septic systems. Preferred breeding grounds areas are waters contaminated with manure and septic effluent.
• Remove tall weeds that can hide containers.
Things you can do to keep from being bitten:
• Use mosquito repellant that contains DEET and follow the label directions. Play close attention to the warnings on the labeling.
• Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and shoes when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn. Clothing should be light colored and tightly woven
• Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
• Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or camping
Some of the symptoms of West Nile Virus:
• Swollen glands
• Skin Rash
• High Fever
• Headache
• Stiff Neck
• Sleepy or Tired (more than normal)
• Vision loss
• Tremors
If you experience any of these symptoms contact your health care provider and let them know if you have been exposed to biting mosquitoes. There is no approved vaccination and treatment is to address symptoms and prevent complications that may develop once the virus has been identified.
Information provided by the Indiana State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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