Mosquitos test positive for West Nile virus in Ford County

PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Ford County Public Health Department has found the area’s first mosquito to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2024.

A batch of mosquitos from Piper City were tested on Thursday. Though no human cases have been reported in Ford County so far this year, the mosquitos were confirmed to have WNV.

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WNV is passed onto people through infected mosquito bites. Infected mosquitos will have fed on an WNV-positive birds. Though human symptoms are often mild, they can include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. This may last from a few days to a few weeks. Individuals above 50 years old or those with weakened immune systems can experience meningitis, encephalitis or even death.

Last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed the year’s fist human case of WNV in the state. They shared the following tips to avoid transmission:

• Reduce
  • Put tight-fitting screens on windows and doors, and repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
  • Keep doors and windows shut.
  • Eliminate or refresh all standing water where mosquitoes can breed — including bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
• Repel
  • Wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt outdoors.
  • Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
  • Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions.

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• Report
  • If you you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week — such as roadside ditches or flooded yards — report these locations to your local health department. They or the city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae.
  • If you see a sick or dead crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird, contact your local health department. They will determine if the bird should be picked up for lab testing.

For more information and data on WNV in Illinois, go to the IDPH’s website.

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