In Macon County, Finding and Combating West Nile Virus – One Mosquito at a Time | Local

DECATUR – Probe a pile of hundreds of mosquitoes with the aid of a forceps, examining them one by one, identifying different breeds: Everything is in a day's work for Jason Probus

Probus, head of field operations for Macon Mosquito Abatement District, is undertaking the unglamorous-yet-necessary task of tracking whether life-threatening diseases like West Nile virus have appeared in the region.

As he combs inspections, he looks for what he calls the "war paint" of each race – their markings, antennae, and other physical traits.

"It's a good thing, there's not a lot of gray area," Probus says. "They are good for one type or another."

West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, often without any symptoms, but people over 60 are more likely to die or develop a serious illness

given its first hu human case of the virus for 2018 in mid-May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have agreed to investigate the confirmed case because it occurred earlier in the season than usual. The first confirmed case in 2017 was reported in mid-July.

The state has documented 90 human cases of the virus last year, including eight deaths.

To screen for West Nile virus, Probus stated that "At 19 specific locations across the county and surrounding area, usually near higher population areas where mosquitoes could be a public nuisance or even a threat The traps can catch from tens to more than 500 mosquitoes, which are then tested in a laboratory of the district office in the northeastern part of Decatur.

There are some breeds that the district monitors and reports to the department The main goal, however, is looking for female Culex, a mosquito species that the World Health Organization calls the major emitters of West Nile. interest, as Probus says that males do not bite humans.

Once Culex mosquitoes have been identified, they undergo what is called u RAMP West Nile The multi-step test essentially liquefies mosquitoes and separates what remains of density. The material can be placed on a cartridge and then through a machine that can determine if West Nile virus is present in the sample.

The test takes several hours, between the sorting of mosquitoes and a waiting period of 90 minutes before the sample. cartridge can be put in the machine. Probus said the tedious process is important for tracking potential problem areas and determining if any other steps are being taken.

The first positive test this year in Macon County for West Nile Virus took place on June 1st. viruses have been reported. Even though there is a positive test for West Nile virus, Probus said that this does not automatically trigger what is called "adulticiding", or the use of low volume natural pesticides. to kill adult mosquitoes

. Probus said the district must determine the extent of the virus and whether it poses a threat to the human population.

"If we receive a lot of West Nile virus in these traps, we will spray for an audience. In 1965, District Director Sam Force said the virus had been suspected of another death in 2016 , although it has never been confirmed by the Department of State Health.

Force stated that the tests have changed considerably since he became director in 2012.

At that time, Force said that they should catch mosquitoes at the beginning of a week and take them to Champaign on Friday to be tested.The results did not arrive until Monday or the following Tuesday, one week after mosquito capture, which, according to Force, made the task more difficult for the district.

Nowadays, mosquito capture, detection and treatment can be undertaken in less 24 hours.

"We put a trap on Monday, and no We can test it on Tuesday afternoon, "Force said. "And if we must act, we can do it Tuesday night."

A community effort can help identify the virus. The depollution district inspects and treats the stagnant water areas daily for mosquito larvae and asks residents to contact them at (217) 875-2722 to investigate areas where water lasted three days or more.

and we certainly can not get rid of all, "Probus said. "But if everyone does their part, gets rid of stagnant water and takes care of their own back yard, it makes our job easier and reduces the risk of West Nile virus as a whole."