VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) -
Crews should be out until midnight spraying a zone bound by Washington Avenue, Newburgh Road, Fuquay Road, Covert Avenue, and South Green River Road.
Vanderburgh County Health Officials say we are experiencing a West Nile epidemic.
They say West Nile cases have increased 40% this past week.
Two people in Indiana have died, including a death in the Evansville area. Officials are calling on the public to help fight the spread of the mosquito borne illness.
We all have had a mosquito bite or two, just ask Rudy Morgan.
"I'm not going to go out and let them bite me," Morgan said.
Morgan is staying in at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
So far this year, 1,590 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the U.S., 16 in Indiana with two deaths, and health officials say the peak season for West Nile hasn't even started yet.
"The number of cases of West Nile in the U.S. has already exceeded any year than we've ever had before," said Raymond Nicholson with the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
Of 35 pools of mosquitoes in Evansville, three have tested positive.
Residents that live between Rotherwood, Boeke, Washington, and Covert are advised to use deet spray if they are outside. Long pants, sleeves, and light colored clothing helps, too.
Officials also urge residents to get rid of standing water.
"This has to be a community effort. Standing water aware, even if it's a cup of water, the mosquitoes can produce larva in it," Nicholson said.
"Tall grass and weeds can be another source where mosquitoes can find standing water, so there's just all kinds of places," said Gary Heck, also with the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
Health experts say they're just bugged out by the numbers. Of the 92 counties in the state, 77 have mosquitoes test positive for West Nile.
"I think it's spooky because all of us get mosquito bites all the time, and every time you get a mosquito bite, you never know,"Nicholson said.
Symptoms of West Nile include fever and muscle aches.
Head to the Vanderburgh County Health Department's website for more on West Nile and mosquitoes.
To see a map of which counties in Indiana that have reports of West Nile, click here.
Another map can be found here.
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