INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): Indiana has its first human case of West Nile.

State officials confirm the case in Porter County. The news comes as 18 other counties have tested positive for pools of West Nile Mosquitos. That includes Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange and Steuben Counties in northeast Indiana.

State health officials recommend the following preventative measures:
· Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (late afternoon and dusk to dawn and early morning);
· Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
· Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home; and,
· When possible, wear pants and long sleeves, especially if walking in wooded or marshy areas.

West Nile virus can cause West Nile fever, a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. Some individuals will develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other severe syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.

To reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds:
· Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water;
· Repair failed septic systems;
· Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
· Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
· Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
· Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
· Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically; and,
· Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish.

People who think they may have West Nile virus should see their healthcare provider.