West Nile Virus found in St. Clair County mosquito. Here’s how to stop the spread

The St. Clair County Health Department on Friday reported a mosquito that tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Thirty-seven counties in Illinois so far have reported finding the virus in mosquitos , with one human case of the disease reported.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus may last from a few days to a few weeks and commonly include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches, the health department says. People older than 60 and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for sever illness. There is no vaccine available.

Last year, 64 Illinois counties reported West Nile-positive mosquitos or birds and 91 human cases. St. Clair County had no known human cases, according to the health department.

• The St. Clair County Health Department recommends these measures to limit exposure and the spread of West Nile Virus:

• Be sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and they are checked for tears or other openings and repaired quickly.

• Eliminate or refresh standing water where mosquitoes can breed, such as wading pools, bird baths, flower pots and old tires. If the standing water cannot be removed, use a larvicide to eliminate the mosquitoes.

• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and light-colored, long-sleeved shirts

• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

• Report to the health department locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

• .Report dead birds to the St. Clair County Health Department or East Side Health District. Staff will collect further information to determine if the bird will be selected for testing.

Additional information on West Nile virus can be found on the St. Clair County Health Department website.