The Marion County Public Health Department is reporting its first West Nile Virus Death of 2012.

Spokeswoman College DuValle says the last West Nile Death in the county was 2010. There was only 1 human case in the county for all of 2011. West Nile has been reported in mosquitos in all 9 townships in Marion County. DuValle says the mosquito control division has been spraying and fogging around the county since the mosquito population began early in the spring.

DuValle says the health department is recommending residents take precautions to prevent infection such as staying indoors at dusk, wearing bug repellent containing DEET, wearing long sleeves and long pants if they have to out during peak mosquito hours, and draining any and all standing water to eliminate potential breeding grounds.