Evanston Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus

EVANSTON, IL — West Nile virus positive mosquitoes were discovered this week in Evanston, officials announced Friday.

The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected a batch of mosquitoes from a trap in Evanston on June 23, which tested positive for West Nile virus on Thursday. This year, mosquitoes with West Nile virus were also found in Glenview and Niles.

"While the risk of being infected with West Nile virus is low at this time, the NSMAD recommends that residents take personal protection measures to minimize mosquito bites," The NSMAD said in a statement.

To minimize mosquito bites, resident should:

• use an EPA registered insect repellent
• wear loose fitting clothing and avoiding peak mosquito feeding times during the hours around dawn and dusk
• examine their property and eliminate any items that can hold water, particularly smaller items that may be easily overlooked.

In addition to Evanston, 23 batches were tested this week throughout the North Shore, with no other batches testing positive. To date, 325 batches have been tested for the season and only five have come back positive in Glenview, Niles, Wilmette, Skokie and now Evanston.

If a person is infected with West Nile virus, they can develop a fever or a mild headache. Severe symptoms can include a rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, disorientation, tremors and convulsions.

According to the NSMAD, in the most severe cases, paralysis or death may occur. Those who are 50 years of age or older are at the highest risk for serious illness. Symptoms typically occur within three to 14 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.