First Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

First Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in DuPage County

DuPage County — The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has confirmed the first mosquito batches to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year in DuPage County.

The first WNV-positive pools of mosquitoes were collected in Bartlett on June 18 and then in Wood Dale on June 27. Now that WNV-positive mosquitos have been identified for the first time this season, County health officials encourage residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting WNV.

This year, there have been no reported human cases of WNV in DuPage County to date. However, the identification of positive mosquito pools is associated with an increased risk of WNV in people.

To Fight the Bite this summer, practice the “4 Ds of Defense”:

Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard, or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and birdbaths regularly.
Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes to cover the skin when outside.
Dusk to Dawn: Wear EPA-registered insect repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

DCHD’s Personal Protection Index (PPI) provides residents with a real-time snapshot of WNV activity in the county, which ranges from zero to three, zero meaning there is no risk, and three announcing a high level of risk with multiple confirmed human cases of WNV. Today, we are announcing the PPI is moving from risk level zero to risk level one – Drain and Defend.

The Health Department monitors WNV activity by collecting and testing mosquitoes in traps located throughout the county. The PPI widget is updated by 3 p.m. each Wednesday throughout the WNV season.

Additional statewide information and data can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s West Nile virus website and the West Nile virus Dashboard.