The first batch of mosquitoes tests positive for West Nile Virus in Henry County

The Henry County Health Department says its first mosquito pool of the year has tested positive for West Nile virus. The batch was collected and tested on June 5th. Health officials say it’s a reminder to “Fight the Bite” by reducing standing water, using repellent, and reporting stagnant water that could breed mosquitoes. West Nile is spread by Culex mosquitoes after feeding on infected birds. Most people show no symptoms, but fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches can occur. Severe illness is rare, but adults over 60 and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk. Last year, IDPH reported positive West Nile activity in 73 Illinois counties, with 150 confirmed human cases and 10 deaths. The virus is spread by infected Culex mosquitoes, often called house mosquitoes. Visit the Henry and Stark County Health Departments’ surveillance website to track mosquito, tick, and bird testing.

“The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for local residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites, note Department Officials. “The best defense against West Nile virus is to practice the ‘Three R’s’: reduce, repel, and report’. IDPH urges everyone, and especially those who are older or have weakened immune systems, to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.”

IDPH urges the public to Fight the Bite by practicing the three “”R’s”—reduce, repel, and report:

• REDUCE – make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut.
  Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
• REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
• REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week, such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae.