More Ford Co. mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus

PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Ford County Public Health Department is again warning of West Nile Virus following more positive mosquito results from within the county.

The county recorded its first positive test result earlier this month , from a batch of mosquitoes collected on Aug. 8 in Piper City. 11 days later, another batch was collected from the same town that also tested positive for West Nile Virus.

In addition, a batch of mosquitoes collected in Melvin on the same day also tested positive.

There are no human cases of West Nile Virus in Ford County, officials said, but they are urging people to be aware of the virus’ activity in their area. Many factors impact when and where outbreak occur, officials said, including weather, number of mosquitoes present and human behavior.

Officials again offered the following tips to avoid being bitten by a mosquito and to lessen the risk of mosquito activity in the area:

• 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.
• 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.

Human symptoms of West Nile Virus, often mild, include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches that may last from a few days to a few weeks. People above 50 years old or those with weakened immune systems can experience meningitis, encephalitis or even death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.