The Warren County Health Department is reporting West Nile virus positive mosquitoes detected in Warren County, IL. Batches of mosquitoes collected on June 20, 2023 tested positive for the virus.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common West Nile virus symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or
even death, can occur. People over age 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus.
The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
REDUCE exposure – avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between
dusk and dawn.
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, especially at night.
Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird
baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect
repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535, according to label
instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
REPORT – In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your
municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar
locations that may produce mosquitoes.
Surveillance for West Nile virus includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. If you observe a sick or dying bird, contact the Warren County Health Department at 309-734-1314. They will then determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
***Courtesy of the Warren County Health Department***
