Lake Bluff Spraying For Mosquitoes As West Nile Activity Peaks

LAKE BLUFF, IL — As mosquito activity in the North Shore peaks around this time of year, the Lake County Health Department recommended the Village of Lake Bluff spray for adult mosquitoes this week.

With the warm weather in the region, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District said the risk level for West Nile Virus is moderate, with some areas having a high risk. The NSMAD strongly encourages people to use personal protection measures.

The village will spray mosquito repellent at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday evening. Nearby areas of Shields Township and Libertyville Township will also be sprayed.

Per CDC guidelines, residents do not need to leave an area when a truck sprays for mosquito control, but they may prefer to stay inside with windows and doors closed. The spray is not harful to pets, officials said.

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.

To minimize the spread of mosquitoes around you, experts recommend you:

• 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.