Glenview Spraying Planned As West Nile Risk To Humans Rises

GLENVIEW, IL — As a growing proportion of mosquitoes have been found to be infected with West Nile virus this week, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District plans of anti-mosquito spraying for Glenview, Golf and portions of Morton Grove between 8 p.m. Thursday night and 2 a.m. on Friday, weather permitting.

The risk of West Nile virus to humans is high, and the accelerated rate of operations targeting adult mosquitoes comes as the estimated number of mosquitoes infected with the virus increases, according to the district.

Last week, the district reported 125 of 149 samples of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus, including 21 of 22 batches recovered from Glenview.

"The amount of virus we are detecting in mosquitoes is well above the historical average for this time of year and is also occurring earlier in the season than the average," said Mark Clifton, executive director of the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.

The infection rate increased from 25.8 to 42.41 infected mosquitoes per every 1,000 tested and remains above average, according to the district.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported four human cases of West Nile virus so far this year – one in Cook County, one in DuPage County, one in Tazewell County and one in Will County.

Over the past week, the northern Cook County district carried out mosquito control operations in parts of Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka.

Residents were asked to take measures to protect themselves such as wearing proper clothing, using insect repellent and ridding the areas around their homes and properties of anything that can hold water. People can also report standing water or dead birds, which can carry West Nile virus, to the NSMAD and the Cook County Department of Public Health via online forms.

Areas affected by Aug. 16 anti-mosquito operations:

For more local stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts or download the iPhone or Android app.