Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus Caught in Winnetka

Winnetka, IL—The first mosquitoes with the West Nile virus were discovered Tuesday in Winnetka, according to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.

The insects were collected June 24, and they tested positive for the disease Tuesday. These are the fifth batches of mosquitoes with the virus found this year in the North Shore suburbs. The illness-carrying insects also were found in Evanston, Skokie, Glenview and Kenilworth, the district reports.

District crews will be doing targeted adult mosquito control operations Wednesday, June 29, throughout the North Shore, including Winnetka and Glencoe. The spraying will be between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. in designated areas.

So far, there only has been one reported case of a human contracting the West Nile virus in 2016. An adolescent in west-central Illinois became seriously ill with the disease in late May.

RELATED: Mosquito Spraying Set for Wednesday for Winnetka, Glencoe

Last year, Illinois had 77 reported human cases of West Nile virus, and nine people died from the illness, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The state health agency advises people to stay away from areas where mosquitoes breed, such as standing water in flowerpots, bird baths and ponds. Also, residents should use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535.

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