A Shelby County mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus.

The Shelby County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health test mosquitoes from different parts of the county periodically every summer. A mosquito sample recently taken in the northwest part of the city of Shelbyville has tested positive for West Nile. 

Robert Lewis with the Shelby County Health Department notes that we are approaching a critical period for potential transmission to humans throughout this month.  The substantial rainfall which we have experienced recently will result in adding significantly to the population of mosquitoes which are already out there.        

Recommendations for the appropriate use of repellents and elimination of breeding sites such as containers that hold water near homes do work, and when followed reduce human cases.

Thus far, no confirmed cases of human diseases, and no horse cases have been reported.