THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO START TAKING PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE WEST NILE VIRUS. 

 

WEST NILE IS THE MOST COMMON MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS IN ILLINOIS…AND PUBLIC HEALTH SPOKESPERSON MELANEY ARNOLD SAYS SURVEILLANCE IS UNDERWAY.

 

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ARNOLD SAYS THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WEST NILE IS TO ELIMINATE STANDING POOLS OF WATER AROUND YOUR HOME WHERE MOSQUITOS CAN BREED AND WEARING INSECT REPELLANT WITH DEET, PICARIDIN OR OIL OF LEMON EUCALYPTUS.

 

 

ARNOLD SAYS WEST NILE SURVEILLANCE IS UNDERWAY AS COMMUNITIES ARE URGED TO SEND IN BATCHES OF MOSQUITO POOLS AND DEAD BIRDS FOR TESTING. THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE VIRUS USUALLY SHOW UP IN MID TO LATE MAY.