West Nile Virus Found in McHenry County Mosquito 'Batch' for First Time in 2017

McHENRY COUNTY, IL - In the county's first reported case of 2017, health officials said Tuesday that a batch mosquitoes collected last week has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) representatives said they gathered a July 20 sampling of the bugs from a mosquito trap in a Lake in the Hills area comprising zip code 60156. The positive test results bring the Illinois Department of Health's 2017 West Nile tally to 272 mosquito batches.

"It is important to remember that the risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost," health officials said. "Residents should continue to use insect repellent when going out of doors in the evening, with long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection."

Other tips — particularly relevant in the wake of the area's recent storms — include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows are air-tight.

" ... Due to the recent flooding and rain, there will continue to be large numbers of floodwater or nuisance mosquitoes," officials said. "Although floodwater mosquitoes can be very aggressive, daytime biters, they are not significant vectors for human disease such as West Nile Virus in Illinois."

The MCDH will continue to lead mosquito batch analysis through mid-October and will accept a limited number of dead birds for testing.

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches. However, serious illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis and death, are possible. Those who are 50 years old and older face the highest risk of severe disease.

For more information, visit the Environmental Health section of the MCDH website or call 815-334-4585.

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