West Nile Found in New Lenox Blue Jay

A blue jay found in New Lenox is Will County’s first West Nile Virus-positive bird for 2011.

According to a county health department news release, the bird was collected Aug. 24 from the 1100 block of North Cooper Road. Tests confirmed the bird was carrying West Nile on Aug. 30. 

West Nile is a potentially serious viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Many bird species are natural carriers of the virus.

"Mosquitoes acquire the virus from birds before turning their attention to humans when summer heat begins to build," the release stated.

No human cases of West Nile have been reported in Will County, but there have been 10 positive mosquito batches through August, including seven from Bolingbrook and two from Joliet.

In 2010, a 35-year-old , the first human case in Will County since 2007. She fully recovered a couple weeks after contracting the virus.

Tips to Avoid West Nile

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, which deters mosquitoes, when spending time outdoors.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks.
• Eliminate potential breeding sites from your property by keeping vegetation cut short and regularly empty wading pools, bird baths or any other containers that can collect stagnant water.

County residents can report dead birds to the Health Department’s West Nile Virus Information Line at 815-740-7631.