West Nile Virus Detected In Burr Ridge Mosquitoes

BURR RIDGE, IL — The potentially deadly West Nile Virus has been detected in a test batch of mosquitoes in Burr Ridge, according to an alert from the village's police department. The DuPage County Health Department, which routinely tests mosquitoes for West Nile, found that some of the insects were positive for the virus at a testing location at 15 W. 400 Harvester Drive.

Residents are strongly urged to take extra precautions to prevent infection. The Burr Ridge Police Department advises that residents wear pants and shirts with long sleeves when outdoors if possible. Another line of defense against infected mosquitoes is using an insect repellant that contains DEET. To prevent mosquitoes from swarming and multiplying on your property, eliminate any standing water as stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

These positive West Nile Virus results in Burr Ridge reflect an alarming trend in Chicago's western suburbs. Naperville also found that a number of mosquitoes at their testing sites carried West Nile virus. Earlier this month, a Glen Ellyn man became the first human case of West Nile virus in DuPage County and the third in Illinois.

For additional information on how to protect yourself and your family against the West Nile virus, visit the DuPage County Department of Health.

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