September 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
West Nile Virus Found in Mosquitoes Collected in Bartholomew County
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By Bartholomew County Health Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Pools of mosquitoes from August 2025, located in several locations in Columbus, and analyzed by the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory, have been shown to contain West Nile Virus. This is something that may be expected of the mosquito population late in summer and early fall before cold weather stops their growth cycle. Our office has been conducting fogging treatments around populated areas and those areas where large public events are being held. Our office continues to trap and submit mosquitoes for sampling.
As a reminder: Mosquitoes are able to transmit disease by biting humans and animals and infecting them with several different diseases. A few of these diseases are West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and emerging diseases.
Standing water which does not dry within a week will allow the female mosquito to lay her eggs and begin to breed mosquito larvae. Your first line of defense in stopping mosquito growth is to make sure your property is free of standing water such as; old tires, abandoned pools, clogged gutters, flower pot bases, water barrels which are not sealed around the inlet and outlet, as well as ponding sewage. If you contact the Health Department, our office can investigate bodies of water in your neighborhood which may not drain for possible treatment.
The Health Department has resources to treat small bodies of water that are causing a public health threat in the immediate area where people are living or congregating, or can use an advanced fogging treatment for flying adult mosquitoes.
All but a few types of mosquitoes are active between dusk and dawn, and a few actions you can take to protect yourself when you are outside include: Using an insect repellant containing D.E.E.T. or other active ingredient, according to label directions, Wear long sleeves and pants as possible when out in the evening. Once again remember the 4 D's, Drain water, dusk to dawn mosquitoes, DEET repellant and dress covered when possible.
Contact the Environmental Health Division at 812-379-1550 menu item 2 with further questions.
