West Nile Virus Detected in DuPage County Mosquitoes
DuPage county, Ill. – Health officials have confirmed teh presence of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes collected within DuPage County. This marks the first detection of the virus in the county’s mosquito population this season.
Locations of Infected Mosquito Batches
The infected mosquito batches were collected from several locations across the county:
- Roselle
- Medinah
- Clarendon Hills
- Burr Ridge
Pro Tip: Understanding West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is typically spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. While most people infected with West Nile Virus do not show any symptoms, some may develop fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious illness affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Health Officials’ Recommendations
While officials emphasize that the risk of infection remains low, they advise residents to take precautions to minimize mosquito bites. These precautions include:
- Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing to reduce exposed skin.
- Avoiding peak mosquito feeding times, particularly during dawn and dusk.
- Eliminating standing water around homes to prevent mosquito breeding.
Did You Know?
Mosquitoes require standing water to breed. Common sources of standing water around homes include flower pots, bird baths, clogged gutters, and discarded tires. regularly emptying and cleaning these items can considerably reduce mosquito populations.
Previous Detection in the North Suburbs
This discovery follows a recent report of West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes in the north suburbs. The insects were collected in Glenview, according to health officials.
Expert Advice on Mosquito Control
Effective mosquito control involves a combination of personal protection measures and community-wide efforts to reduce mosquito breeding habitats. Residents are encouraged to work together to keep their neighborhoods safe from mosquito-borne diseases.
