A Homer Glen monitoring site operated by the Will County Health Department collected mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) September 8.
The Homer Glen site is one of seven mosquito monitoring facilities operated by Will County Environmental Health, and is the third agency site to report WNV activity since August 17. The Health Department previously reported two positive mosquito samples from its monitoring site in southeast Joliet. The agency’s other WNV-positive mosquito batch was collected in Frankfort.
Since September 1, jurisdictions from across Illinois have reported at least 60 WNV-positive mosquito samples. More than 270 mosquito batches have now tested positive for WNV since May 11, and 14 of the 26 counties reporting WNV activity have done so since July 15.
Illinois is one of 25 states to report human WNV activity this summer. Downstate St. Clair County reported the state’s first human WNV case August 31. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 156 human cases and six fatalities through Labor Day.
The Health Department urges Will County residents to remember that mosquitoes carrying WNV are most active near dawn and dusk. Persons planning to spend time outdoors are advised to use insect repellant containing DEET, or some other chemical compound that deters mosquitoes. Long sleeves, pants, Shoes, and socks are also recommended.
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