More West Nile Mosquitoes Found in Will County

The issued this press release Friday morning:

Temperatures have moderated and some rain has fallen, but mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) is still prevalent across Illinois.

Will County Environmental Health mosquito monitoring sites reported nine virus-positive samples Thursday, including two from gravid traps in Bolingbrook and Lockport. The two Bolingbrook monitoring sites operated by Will County have now produced nine virus-positive mosquito batches and the site in Lockport has accounted for four positives to date.

Sites from , Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox and Shorewood also tested virus-positive mosquitoes Thursday. The two health department sites in Joliet have totaled seven positives so far.

Monitoring sites operated by Will County and the Illinois Department of Public Health have combined for 39 virus-positive mosquito batches in less than two months. There were just 24 Will County virus-positive mosquito batches harvested during all of 2011.

Will is one of 33 Illinois counties to report WNV activity this year. Nearly 1,700 mosquito batches and six human cases (all from Cook County) have been reported.

The first state human WNV infection of 2011 wasn’t confirmed until August 19. There were a total of 34 human infections confirmed a year ago.

Chicagoland and the Metro East area near St. Louis are the top mosquito hot spots statewide. However, public health jurisdictions from around the state are continuing to urge that residents take precautions to deter mosquitoes when spending long periods of time outdoors.

Mosquito repellents are strongly advised. Residents are also urged to wear long sleeves, shoes, socks, and long pants. Mosquitoes are most active near dusk and early in the morning.