FORT WAYNE — The West Nile Virus is back in Allen County. Allen County Health Department officials reported they’ve found three positive samples in mosquitoes this August.

Mosquito traps with the virus were found in the following three neighborhoods:

• 10800 block of Martin Creek Crossing (in Perry Township)
• 3300 block of Heritage Drive (in Adams Township)
• 6900 block of Embers Court (in St. Joseph Township)

Health department officials put safety flyers on the front doors of all the houses in these neighborhoods. It gives tips on preventing mosquitoes from breeding on their property. One tip is to clean out gutters, bird baths and kiddie pools which hold water. Another is to empty or properly dispose of containers that can hold water, such as buckets, flower pots and unrimmed tires. A third tip is to aerate ornamental ponds and water gardens. Health department officials also recommend using EPA-approved insect repellent when going outdoors, both at day and night.

Health department officials have already started inspecting and treating the properties. They say it’ll be no problem taking care of it.

“I wouldn’t say [the public] should be scared because West Nile has been here in Allen County since 2002,” said David Fiess, director of the Allen County Health Department’s Vector Control and Environmental Services Division. “The public community, they need to do their part in eliminating those water sites on their property and also wearing that bug repellent.”

Officials also said no human cases of the virus have been reported.

Source: WANE