{"id":120169,"date":"2025-07-15T08:30:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T12:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=120169"},"modified":"2025-07-15T11:16:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T15:16:06","slug":"acdh-mosquito-control-efforts-underway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/07\/15\/acdh-mosquito-control-efforts-underway\/","title":{"rendered":"ACDH: Mosquito control efforts underway"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Allen County Department of Health’s Mosquito Control Program is underway and they are asking for the public’s help.<\/p>\n

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Allen County Health Department news release:<\/p>\n

Mosquito control efforts underway<\/strong>
\nHealth officials urge elimination of breeding sites<\/em><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (July 15, 2025) \u2013 Clogged gutters. Un-rimmed tires. Bird baths. Flowerpots.<\/p>\n

Many common items around your home can hold water, and that means they can also be breeding sites for mosquitoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMosquitoes don\u2019t need much water \u2013 only about a quarter-inch \u2013 to breed, so it\u2019s important to monitor, be proactive and get rid of standing water whenever possible,\u201d Environmental Services Director Josh Blauvelt said. \u201cDoing so will help protect you, your family and your neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Summer isn\u2019t just a busy time for humans. Mosquitoes are also active, and some types of the tiny, buzzing pests can transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus \u2013 the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S.<\/p>\n

In some severe cases, West Nile Virus can lead to encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.<\/p>\n

Allen County residents can protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside this summer. Spraying clothes and skin with an EPA registered mosquito repellant is also an effective way to deter mosquitoes.<\/p>\n

The Department of Health\u2019s mosquito control program works to treat and eliminate potential breeding sites and places traps to collect and test mosquitoes for diseases. Inspection and treatment of permanent breeding sites began in May, and testing started July 7.<\/p>\n

Three mosquito samples taken this summer have tested positive for West Nile. West Nile was identified in 37 mosquito samples taken in Allen County in 2024. There were no local human cases of the virus, which can result in symptoms such as headache, fever, dizziness, fatigue and rash. Most people recover, though some develop serious, life-threatening illnesses.<\/p>\n

There were 11 human cases of West Nile across eight other Indiana counties in 2024.<\/p>\n

Effective ways to control potential mosquito breeding sites:<\/p>\n