The Montgomery County Health Department reports that the first West Nile Virus positive mosquito was collected in Nokomis, Illinois. The mosquito was collected on August 2, 2022. To date, West Nile positive birds and mosquitoes have been reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health in 18 counties. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported no human cases at this time. As we continue into our warmer months this reminds us that West Nile
Virus continues to be a threat. Warmer weather allows mosquitoes to reproduce at a faster rate. Area residents need to remain vigilant and protect themselves. Illinois Department of Public Health reports 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 orreplace 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 IR 3535, 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 dead birds and areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards,water filled containers, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm . Dead birds or standing water can be reported by calling the Montgomery County Health Department at (217) 532-2001.
