MEDIA UPDATE ON WEST NILE VIRUS

December 31, 2003

INDIANAPOLIS---State health officials today reported six additional probable human cases of West Nile virus, with one new case each in Blackford, Dearborn, Elkhart, and Wayne counties, and two new cases in Delaware County.

This brings to 47 the total number of probable human cases of West Nile virus in Indiana, including four deaths.

The ages of the 47 probable human cases in the state range from less than one year to 85 years of age. During the 2003 mosquito season, 73 Indiana counties showed evidence of West Nile virus activity.

Health officials say that people can protect their family and their community next season from the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus by taking these actions now:

+ Repairing failed septic systems;

+ Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out of doors;

+ Keeping grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;

+ Disposing of old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots. or other unused containers that can hold water;

+ Cleaning clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains; and

+ Aerating ornamental pools, or stocking them with predatory fish.