This year’s first cases of West Nile in mosquitos reported in 2 Illinois counties
Mosquitos in Cook County and Morgan County in Illinois have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
IDPH released a statement Friday that said one of the batches to test positive was collected in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on May 14. A second batch was collected in Jacksonville, Illinois.
IDPH said these are the first two batches to test positive this year. A bird tested positive for West Nile in April in Douglas County.
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“The report of the first two batches to test positive for West Nile virus serves as a timely reminder for Illinoisans to begin protecting themselves from vector-borne diseases,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in the release. “It is important for everyone – and especially older people and those with weakened immune systems – to safeguard themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry by wearing insect repellent and eliminating standing water around their home.”
IDPH says in 2023, 67 Illinois counties reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, and/or human case, up from 44 counties in 2022.
If you see a sick or dead crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local county or city health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
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