The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed the first mosquitoes to test positive for the West Nile virus in Illinois this year.
According to IDPH's news release, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collective a West Nile virus-positive mosquito batch on June 9 from Skokie, Illinois in Cook County. Health authorities said that there are no human cases that have been reported so far this year.
"We are starting to see West Nile virus make its annual appearance," IDPH Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in the news release. "Remember to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around your home."
Monitoring West Nile Virus Cases
The first batch of positive mosquitoes in Illinois could create an outbreak and so monitoring the West Nile virus should include testing other animals, according to IDPH.
This includes dead crows, blue jays, robins, and other perching birds, and sick horses and humans who show symptoms that are common with the virus. Anyone who sees a sick or dying perching bird should immediately contact their local health department, Fox 32 reported.
The bite of a house mosquito (Culex pipiens mosquito) could transmit the West Nile virus because it can be picked up by feeding on an infected bird.
In 2020, the first batch of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus were collected on May 26, 2020, in Naperville Illinois. The news outlet reported that 26 counties in the state have reported cases of West Nile virus in mosquitoes, birds, and humans.
The IDPH reported a total of 39 West Nile virus human cases, which included four deaths. However, the real number of human cases is unknown because it is mostly underreported.
Fight the Bite with Three R's
IDPH advises the public to practice the three R's as precautions to Fight the Bite. The three R's are reduce, repel, and report.
With Reduce the IDPH health authorities said that residents should always make sure that their doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Also, repair or replace defective screens and try to keep them always close to prevent mosquitoes from entering. To prevent mosquitoes, eliminate and always replace stagnant water where it could become their breeding ground, like birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, and old tires or containers.
To Repel mosquitoes, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a light-colored long sleeve shirt, and use EPA-registered insect repellants when going outside. However, parents should consult first the pediatrician when applying insect repellants for their babies.
Lastly, immediately Report places where there are stagnant waters that have been there for over a week, like roadside ditches, flooded yards, and other similar locations where mosquitoes might live. The city government's local health department might be able to put larvicide to these stagnant waters to kill mosquito larvae.
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Check out more news and information on the West Nile Virus in Science Times.
