THE FIRST SIGNS OF WEST NILE VIRUS ARE POPPING UP IN ILLINOIS. 

SO FAR THREE BATCHES OF MOSQUITOS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS, ALL IN COOK COUNTY SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SPOKESPERSON MIKE CLAFFEY.

LAST YEAR, THE WEST NILE VIRUS WAS DETECTED IN 44 ILLINOIS COUNTIES. THERE WERE 34 REPORTED HUMAN CASES AND EIGHT DEATHS. SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE COMPLICATIONS IF THEY ARE INFECTED.

CLAFFEY SAYS IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITOS WITH INSECT REPELLENT, MAKE SURE THERE AREN’T ANY TEARS IN YOUR WINDOW SCREENS AND ELIMINATED ANY STANDING WATER ON YOUR PROPERTY WHERE THE LITTLE BITERS CAN BREED.