After West Nile Tests, Highland Park Mosquito Spraying Planned

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Anti-mosquito spraying is planned for parts of Highland Park and all of Deerfield Tuesday night, after several recent samples of mosquitoes collected by the district tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Southlake Mosquito Abatement District.

Mosquitoes with West Nile were found in southwest Highland Park, the Fort Sheridan area and eastern Deerfield, according to Highland Park city officials. And last week, the Lake County Public Health Department reported a Waukegan woman in her 60s became the first confirmed human case of the virus in Lake County after becoming ill in mid-August.

The rate of West Nile among mosquitoes on the North Shore this year has been at its highest since an outbreak in 2012, according to public health officials. The virus can be spread to humans by bites from mosquitoes who feed on infected birds and most people show no symptoms, which tend to begin from a few days to two weeks after a bite. But severe infections can lead to fever, body aches and sometimes deadly complications. Those older than 50 or with weakened immune systems are most at risk of serious illness.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the state's first West Nile-related death of the year when a 65-year-old LaSalle County resident who contracted the virus in August died.

In 2018 so far, state health officials have confirmed 22 human cases of West Nile. Last year eight people died among 90 confirmed cases of the virus.

Areas of Highland Park affected by Sept. 4 adult mosquito control operations:

Application of the mosquito control treatment is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Sept. 4, weather permitting. For more information, to report standing water or to request additional anti-mosquito treatments, contact the Southlake Mosquito District's mosquito hotline at 800-942-2555.