Illinois' first West Nile mosquitoes of the year found in north suburbs

The first Illinois mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile Virus this year were found in Glenview and Morton Grove, health officials announced Wednesday.

The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected the positive mosquitoes on May 25, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Public Health. No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported so far this year, according to the department.

“As we see higher temperatures, we will start to see more West Nile Virus activity,” said IDPH Director Nirav Shah in the release.

West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of a culex pipiens mosquito that encountered the disease by biting an infected bird, according to the release.

Four out of five people infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms, which include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches, according to the release. Symptoms may last for a few days to a few weeks.

In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur.

The first West Nile Virus positive result last year was collected on May 23 and May 24 in Madison County, according to the release. Last year, 63 counties in Illinois reported West Nile Virus positive results in mosquito batches, birds or humans.

In 2017, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 90 human cases, which included eight deaths.

Residents can protect themselves by eliminating standing water around the home, installing screens on doors and windows and wearing insect repellent, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, according to the release.

The health department also encourages people to report locations with sitting stagnant water, like roadside ditches or flooded yards, that may produce mosquitoes.

 

Refrence : http://www.chicagotribune.com