LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in Jefferson County. The cases were found in surveillance traps in the Iroquois area.

To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place in the 40214 zip code this week.

The health department said no confirmed human cases of West Nile have been reported in Jefferson County so far this year.

According to the Louisville health department, most people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. However, less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Serious illness can occur in people of any age. People over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for the severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.

“This is about the time of year we typically see mosquitoes test positive for West Nile,” said Louisville’s Interim Chief Health Strategist Connie Mendel. “No matter what ZIP code you live in, please take precautions to avoid being bitten.”

The health department offered the following guidance to help avoid mosquitos:

Use insect repellents when you go outdoors

When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors

Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours of early morning and dusk

Preven mosquito breeding grounds:

Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside

Empty standy water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and drain birdbaths on a regular basis

To see if your area will be fogged, visit the department’s website or call the mosquito hotline, 502-574-6641. To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood, call Metro 311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.