West Nile Found in Mosquitoes in Lemont

Mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in Lemont, the DuPage County Health Department reported Friday. The mosquitoes were found in traps on Wednesday and Thursday.

The mosquitoes are the first to test positive for the virus in DuPage County and they were found in a trap in an area of Lemont that is in southern DuPage County, the Health Department said in a news release Friday.

This year's wet and cool spring delayed the development of the mosquitoes that spread the virus, but the recent wave of hot temperatures have made them more prevelant, the release said.

So far no human cases have been reported in the county yet this summer, according to the Health Department.

The DuPage County Health Department is collecting dead birds for testing and county residents who find freshly dead birds, like crows or jays, are asked to contact the Health Department. The birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma and the Health Department 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.

Lemont Public Works Director Ralph Pukula said Friday that the department only sprays for mosquitoes within village limits, which does not include DuPage County.

"This type of thing happens almost every year," Pukula said. "We'll continue to do what we've been doing, which is spraying along our designated route throughout the summer."

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus from feeding on an infected bird, according to the Health Department. 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.

For tips on avoiding bug bites this summer, read this Patch story.

DuPage County residents who would like to track West Nile may visit www.dupagehealth.org/wnv-map.