The Gibson County Health Department announced recently that the Indiana State Department of Health has found a pool of mosquitoes in the area testing positive for West Nile virus. Gibson County is among many counties in Indiana to report positive mosquitos this year.

The health department says it will continue to focus on habitat elimination and education, which are the most effective ways to control mosquito populations.

Residents are urged to limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitos are most active, and to wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, and pants when possible. Using insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus is also recommended — though DEET products should not be used on infants under two months, and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years old.

People should also remove standing water around their property, such as in flowerpots, buckets, old tires, trash cans, and clogged gutters, and keep grass and landscaping trimmed to reduce mosquito resting areas.

For more information or to request a limited supply of free mosquito dunks, residents can call the Gibson County Health Department at 812-385-3831.

With all of that in mind, the local health department addressed about the recent positive West Nile mosquito pool in Gibson County.

Officials explained that Indiana Department of Health catches and tests mosquitoes all over the county on a regular basis starting June 1. This particular bunch of mosquitoes were caught on July 2 and test results were not known until July 8. This is by no means a cause for panic.

The Gibson County Health Department went on to says that a public service  announcement was made as a precaution and to educate.