The year’s first mosquitoes with west nile virus have been identified, chicago department of public health announedd Friday Morning.
At Least 16 Counties Across the State Had Cases of the West Nile Virus in Birds, Mosquitoes and Horses, Though no human ben reports.
Cook and Mchenry Counties have Seen the Bulk of the Infectted Mosquitoes, with 15 and 11 Each.
A Batch of Mosquitoes in Lake in the Hills Tested Positive for the Virus June 2, Making The First of the 2025 Season.
The virus typically spreads through infected mosquitoes, though mosquitoes do not carry the virus, and 80% of People who get the virus won the flu-like symptoms that come with it, the city health agency said.
Howver, One of Every 150 People Infectrated Will Experience Severe Infecations, WHICH Are More Common in Those Over Age 55 and Anyone with a Weakened Immune System.
“As the Weather Gets Warmer, All Chicago Residents Are Encoured to Fight the Bite and Protects Theelves Against Mosquito Bites so they can remain safe and healthy this summer,” Dr. Olusibo IgE, CDPH Commisitor, Said in a Statement.
The agency recommends that People Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts and Pants Outdoors Between Duk and Dawn, Using EPA-APPROVED INSECT REPUBLIC; KEEPING GRASS CUT, REPLACE THE WATER IN BIRD BATHS AND OTHER BASINS WEEKLY; and enseking Window Screens don’t have holes in saying to reduce the chancs of being infected.
Culex mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of the virus, typically breed in motionless Water with High Organic Matter, Often Found in Containers Like Rimless Tire, Abandoned Swimming Pools, Buckets, Bird Baths and Clogged Gutters, Health Said.
To control the potential spread this year, the city has more than 80,000 catwide catwide to keep the mosquito population at bay and is testing mosquitoes Weekly UNIL OCTOBER. Authorities Say the City Will Apply Insecticide Where Needed.
Last Year, Illinois Saw Nearly 70 Human Cases of the Virus, Down from 119 in 2023 and Well Bulow the State Average of About 161 Cases for Year Since 2002. About Two Dosen Died of the Virus Statewide Last.
In 2024, Suburban County County Saw 19 West Nile Virus Cases and Five Deaths Due to the Virus – Marking the Highest Number of County Deaths Due to the Disease Since 2018, Acciting to Cook County Department of Public Health Data.
Contribing: Mohammad Samra