West Nile Virus Detected In Lincolnwood Mosquitoes For First Time In 2024

LINCOLNWOOD, IL — West Nile virus has been detected in a sample of mosquitoes collected this week in Lincolnwood, according to mosquito control authorities.

Testing conducted Friday by the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District on a mosquito batch found in the village Tuesday turned up this year's first positive result for the virus, which is often undetected in humans but can cause serious health problems.

District officials have so far found six West Nile positive samples of mosquitoes out of more than 375 samples collected. West Nile virus has also been been found in Skokie, Evanston and Northfield, where two samples out of just 17 collected — 12 percent — tested positive.

For the 2024 season so far, mosquito abatement officials have collected 377 samples of mosquitoes from the 12 north Cook County municipalities that comprise the district.

Of those, six have tested positive, just 1.5 percent.

Currently, data show the risk level for West Nile virus infection is very low for humans. The vector index measurement of the number of infected Culex mosquitoes at only 0.03, with anything below 1.0 indicates low risk.

Officials recommend wearing EPA-registered insect repellent, loose-fitting clothing that covers up skin and avoiding outdoor activities during the peak mosquito hours around dawn and dusk.

Property owners and resident were also urged to check out the area around their homes and properties and get rid of any items that can hold water and provide fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

In Lake County, the first West Nile positive mosquito sample was collected on June 12 in Highland Park and tested positive last week.

“We expect mosquitoes every summer, but it's important to remember that they can also carry diseases like West Nile virus,” said Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department. “We can take steps to ‘Fight the Bite' to protect ourselves and our families from a potentially deadly disease.”

The last significant human outbreak of West Nile virus in Cook County occurred in 2012, with 20 reported cases. Over the past decade, 34 cases have been recorded in the North Shore district.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus is expected to experience serious illness, including encephalitis or meningitis.

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not show any symptoms, but some may become ill from three days to two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle ache. People over age 50 or who have weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to severe illness.

Related: First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes Of 2024 Found In Evanston