Mosquito Control Operations Planned For Thursday Night

SKOKIE, IL — Mosquito control operations are scheduled for much of Skokie, as well as parts of Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Glenview Thursday night, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District announced. The targeted spraying and insecticide application is planned between 8 p.m. on July 12 and 2 a.m. on July 13, weather permitting.

In Skokie this year, six batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus, along with three in Glenview, three in Niles, two in Lincolnwood and one in Morton Grove. As of July 6, the district has tested 657 batches of mosquitoes and turned up 28 positive samples of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus as of July 6, with samples in in Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie and Winnetka coming up positive.

The district said the infection rate among mosquitoes remains above average, rising from 1.35 to 3.9 infected per every 1,000 tested last week. Statewide, there have been 90 positive batches found across 19 counties, according to state public health officials.

Mosquito populations are well above average for this time of year, according to the district.

Last year in Illinois, eight people died among 90 confirmed human cases. One human case, a Chicago woman in her 60s, has been reported so far in 2018. The risk of humans becoming infected is low but increasing, and human infections mostly occur during July through September. Human cases often go unreported, as relatively healthy people with West Nile can be asymptomatic, according to public health officials. People with the virus infected can experience fever, nausea and headaches for weeks.

The district recommended residents use insect repellent, wear loose fitting clothing and avoid peak mosquito feeding times around dawn and dusk to protect themselves. To report areas that may produce mosquitoes –including roadside ditches, flooded yards or elsewhere – call 847-446-9434 or report standing water or a dead bird online to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.

Areas affected by planned July 12 mosquito control operations:

Related:

• First West Nile Positive Mosquitoes Found In Lake County
• First Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Illinois For 2018
• First West Nile Mosquitoes Of Year Found In Glenview, Morton Grove