Medicare begins a major change next month that could save older diabetics money and time when they buy crucial supplies to test their blood sugar – but it also may cause some confusion as patients figure out the new system.Two mosquitoes collected in Allen County this month have tested positive for the West Nile virus, the city-county health department said today.
One was in the 22000 block of Ash Street in Woodburn, and the other in the 6000 block of Tanager Boulevard in Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health said in a statement.
Because of reduced resources and possible increased resistance to the chemical, the health department no longer routinely sprays when the virus is detected, the statement said. Instead, it said, the department focuses on primary prevention measures such as education, source reduction and larviciding.
"I urge everyone to take precautions by wearing insect repellent when working or playing outdoors," Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan said in the statement.
The statement urged residents to empty flower pots and other containers, replace water in birdbaths, get rid of old tires, clean out clogged gutters and eliminate standing water on their property.
In addition, it said, residents should make sure trash and recycling containers left outdoors are covered tightly with a lid.
