Mosquito Batch Tests Positive For West Nile Virus In Kendall County: Health Department

OSWEGO, IL — A batch of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus last week, the Kendall County Health Department said.

The trap was located in Oswego, health officials said Friday.

The health department confirmed July 2 that it detected this year's first positive mosquito batch for West Nile virus in the county in Yorkville.

So far this year, no human cases of West Nile virus have been detected, though 26 counties have confirmed positive cases in birds, mosquitoes or horses, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported in its West Nile virus tracker.

The West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

Common symptoms, which can last from a few days to a few weeks, include fever, nausea, headaches and muscle aches.

The IDPH shared the following prevention tips:

• Reduce the number of mosquitoes and get rid of containers outside that hold water
• Repel mosquitoes using insect repellent
• Report areas where water sits for more than a week