Mosquitoes Still Testing Positive for West Nile: Health Department

Submitted by the Will County Health Department:

Colder weather means fewer mosquitoes to test, but the Will County Health Department has collected West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes from two locations that had not previously yielded positive results in 2014.

Mosquito samples collected by Will County Environmental Health from monitoring sites in Homer Glen and Plainfield tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) Wednesday, September 10. Samples from a Bolingbrook monitoring site also tested positive.

The Bolingbrook site (one of two health department monitoring sites in Bolingbrook), has now yielded three WNV-positive mosquito batches in 2014. The Plainfield and Homer Glen sites have also been regularly monitored, but had not previously produced positive samples.

Because of the surprisingly cold temperatures (Will County overnight temperatures have been 50 degrees or lower for nearly a week), the Health Department has begun taking down some of the 14 monitoring sites in operation for the 2014 WNV season. There are currently eight sites still in operation, including locations in Joliet (2) and Bolingbrook (2). Sites in Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, and Shorewood also remain operational.

Through noon Thursday, Sept. 11, 21 of the 988 WNV-positive mosquito samples collected from across Illinois emanated from Will County. Health Department Executive Director John Cicero said weather conditions will determine when the 2014 WNV season will come to an end.

“We know that WNV remains a factor until the first hard frost,” he said. “Until then, we strongly advise that people continue to take necessary precautions.”

Wear pants, long sleeves, shoes and socks when spending time outdoors. Insect repellent is strongly recommended. Always read label instructions before applying repellent.

The Health Department’s 24-hour WNV Information Line is available at 815-740-7631.