June 10, 2015

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first West Nile virus positive mosquito batch reported in Central Illinois for 2015. Macon County Mosquito Abatement District employees collected a positive mosquito batch on May 28, 2015, in Decatur. The week prior, IDPH reported the first West Nile virus positive mosquitoes in Illinois this year in St. Clair county.
“As the weather continues to warm up we’re starting to see more mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “There are some simple steps you can take, like wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around your home, which will help reduce your risk of being bit by an infected mosquito.”
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois 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 virus-like symptoms. People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.