Wayne County Health Department has learned that three mosquito samples collected in the county have tested positive for West Nile virus.
WCHD announced the test results from Indiana Department of Health on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Health officials recommend taking steps to prevent mosquito bites to reduce the risk of disease caused by mosquito-borne viruses, which also include Eastern equine encephalitis (triple-E) virus and La Crosse virus.
Most people infected with West Nile have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, which can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.
Those who think they might have West Nile should see their healthcare providers.
Some people infected with West Nile will develop a more severe form of the disease affecting the nervous system, including inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, muscle paralysis or even death. People older than 60 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe disease.
Prevention tips include using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, being extra cautious between dusk and dawn, installing screens on windows, and removing outdoor containers that could hold standing water.
A version of this article will appear in the September 24 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.