Health Department Reports First Mosquitoes in DuPage County with West Nile Virus This Year

The DuPage County Health Department announced Friday that the first positive test for West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2011 was discovered in a mosquito trap located in Lemont.

The mosquitoes that tested positive were collected on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the health deparment announcement, the wet and cool spring that the county experienced this year delayed the development of the mosquitoes that spread the WNV. The hotter temperatures we are now experiencing are more conducive to the spread of WNV, which explains the positive test discovered in Lemont.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in DuPage County in 2011.

The Health Department is collecting freshly-dead birds (such as crows or blue jays) for WNV testing. The birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma and workers must be able to pick them up in time to be shipped to the state laboratory by the close of business on Thursdays.

To report a dead bird, call (630) 682-7400. DuPage County residents who want to track West Nile virus in their communities may visit www.dupagehealth.org/wnv-map. This map of mosquito traps throughout the county will be updated as mosquitoes test positive for WNV.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Only about two people in 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Individuals over the age of 50 have the highest risk of severe disease.

For tips on avoiding bug bites and other ways to protect your skin this summer, click here.