West Nile Mosquitoes Found In Evanston, Glencoe And Northfield

EVANSTON, IL — Mosquitoes in three additional towns tested positive for West Nile virus this week. Batches of mosquitoes collected from district traps in Evanston, Glencoe and Northfield Monday tested positive for the virus Tuesday, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District announced. A total of nine batches of mosquitoes in eight communities in northern Cook County have so far tested positive this year, according to the district.

The NSMAD said it plans to conduct targeted mosquito spraying operations between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday in parts of Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie, weather permitting. (See map of affected areas below.)

The first mosquitoes to test positive this year were found last month in Glenview and Morton Grove, and the first human case of the virus was last week confirmed as a Chicago woman in her 60s.

The risk of human infection with West Nile virus is low, but it is increasing, according to health officials. Residents were urged to check their property for any items they may have overlooked that can hold standing water.

Those infected may experience symptoms like fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches for up to several weeks, although most people infected with West Nile never show any symptoms and human cases go underreported, according to health officials. In 2017, eight people died among 90 confirmed human cases in Illinois.

Statewide in 2018 to date, 46 batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile, and 14 counties have reported positive tests.

Monitoring for the virus includes lab tests of mosquitoes, dead birds and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who notice sick or dying perching birds, which spread the virus to mosquitoes, should contact their local health department to determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.

Related

• First Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Illinois For 2018
• Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile In Skokie And Lincolnwood
• First West Nile Mosquitoes Of Year Found In Glenview, Morton Grove

Areas of June 27 mosquito control operations: