INDIANAPOLIS — Human cases of West Nile virus have been found in six Indiana counties so far this year, and one death has occured in Vanderburgh County.

The affected counties are Fulton, Hamilton, Jackson, Monroe, Marion and Vanderburgh.

"The mosquito-borne virus isn’t just a risk for those spending time in wooded areas, fishing or camping," warns a news release today from the Indiana Department of Health. "The majority of people who become infected do so while spending time around the outside of the home, when working in the garden, mowing the lawn or simply sitting on the porch."

The IDH recommends taking the following steps to protect you and your family from mosquitoes:

• Avoid places where mosquitoes are biting;
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home; and,
• When possible, wear pants and long sleeves, especially if walking in wooded or marshy areas.

West Nile virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. Some people will develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other severe syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.

To reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds, the IDH suggests:

• Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; and,
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.

For more information about mosquito safety, visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.StateHealth.IN.gov.