Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found near Churchill Downs, Louisville health officials say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were found near Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness said the mosquitoes were found in a monitoring trap in the Wyandotte/Oakdale neighborhood.

Health officials said mosquito fogging will take place Tuesday through Friday, weather permitting.

There have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile in Jefferson County this year.

"This is the time of year when we often start to see mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus," Louisville's Chief Health Strategist Connie Mendel said in a news release Tuesday. "We want everyone to have the information they need to stay safe. Simple steps can help lower the risk of being infected with West Nile virus."

In most instances, people infected with West Nile either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. The chance of developing a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis from the virus is less than one percent, but serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 are at the greatest risk along with people diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants.

Experts said the best thing you can do is pay attention to open water on your property.

You're also encouraged to wear long clothing, such as pants and long-sleeved shirts, to minimize skin exposure and using repellent to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Health officials urge all residents, not just those where infected mosquitoes have been found, to protect themselves and their families by following these steps:

Use insect repellents when outdoors and use repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil.
Weather permitting, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks outdoors as mosquitoes can bite through lightweight fabrics. Also, treat your clothes with insect repellent.
Be extra careful during early morning or at dusk when mosquitoes are more active.
Eliminate standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers and pet dishes
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

Last month, a pool of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus in Floyd County, Indiana. No human cases have been identified.