West Nile Virus found in Delaware County Mosquitoes

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — During a routine annual surveillance of mosquitoes, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) confirmed that Delaware County has mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus.

“With West Nile Virus (WNV) showing positive across the state annually, WNV is here in Indiana and it’s most likely here to stay,” the Delaware County Health Department wrote on Facebook.

People of all ages can be infected with WNV and have had a severe reaction, but those over the age of 50 are at a greater risk for serious infection or even death. However, IDOH says most who get WNV do not develop symptoms. Those who do can suffer “inflammation in the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the nervous system,” IDOH reports.

News 8 previously reported that the first person in 2025 to have a reported case of WNV is a Vanderburgh county resident. IDOH says 56 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV.

In 2024 there were only 11 cases of WNV in humans, a slight increase from 2023. Overall, yearly cases remain in the upper single-digit or lower double-digits numbers. Though, IDOH says less severe cases are more likely to be underreported.

Typically developed in birds then transmitted to humans through virus-carrying mosquitoes, a person infected with WNV may show symptoms 3 to 15 days after the bite.

A mild form of WNV includes “fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis. Some individuals may die from the infection,” the Delaware County Health Department said.

The Delaware County Health Department says to stay safe, you should reduce breeding sites — such as stagnant water — avoid mosquitoes, dress to protect yourself from bites, and wear insect repellent. You can do this by removing standing water in gutters, flower pots, pool covers, and whatever else in your yard that can keep standing water.

The biggest and most critical aspect of keeping Muncie and Delaware County safe from getting sick lies in the hands of our individual citizens,” the health department said. “Eliminate and/or report breeding grounds and protect yourself from being bitten.”

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