Health Department Around Evansville Educating Residents After West Nile Death

VANDERBURGH COUNTY - An aggressive public information campaign is under way in Vanderburgh County; a day after we first reported Indiana's first West Nile death right here at home.

Cathy Dillman got a knock on her door Thursday afternoon. It was a volunteer with the health department. He broke the news to her about the West Nile death here in Vanderburgh County.

Eyewitness News spoke with her after the volunteer left. She said, "This is a serious problem and we don't want to be susceptible."

It's vital information the health department wants to get out before the West Nile Virus claims another victim.

Derrick Stratton with the Vanderburgh County Health Department says, "The Health Department is taking this risk very seriously. We're doing as much as we can to get the word out. We're trying to look at those areas that may have high mosquito activity where we get a lot of complaints and try to canvas the area."

The volunteers hit the streets today on the south and east sides of Evansville; armed with pamphlets outlining the risk and tips for prevention.

Stratton explains, "If you have anything; buckets or trash can lids; anything that collects water. Just try to flip that upside down. Make sure your grass stays cut. Anything to help reduce the breeding ground for mosquitoes is just going to help us out and help them out as well."

It's a urgent warning that has Dillman changing her habits and those of her family.

"My son, he goes out for smoke breaks and I don't allow him to smoke in the house. He goes out back. Immediately after I got the information I went back there and said, 'you're not going out without bug spray. So he's concerned too."

Health officials say say use bug spray with no less than 5 percent DEET even if you only plan on being outside for a few minutes.

They are precautions that could save your life.