Kane County Health Department officials said Thursday that four batches of mosquitoes collected this week in Elgin, Gilberts, Carpentersville and Campton Township have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
“This is the time of year in late summer when we can expect to see an increase in West Nile activity,” said Tom Schlueter, spokesman for the Kane County Health Department.
So far this year, traps near Elburn, Elgin, Aurora and Montgomery have also yielded batches of mosquitoes that tested positive for the disease, Schlueter said.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which feed on infected birds and later, other animals.
Health officials said the best way to prevent West Nile Virus disease or any other mosquito-born illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around the home and take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Precautions include:
Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
As part of its West Nile program, the Kane County Health Department is collecting freshly-dead birds for testing. To be used for testing, birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma. Kane County residents can report a dead bird by calling (630) 444-3040.
More information about West Nile virus can be found on the Kane County Health Department’s website at http://www.kanehealth.com/west_nile.htm.
