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The Iroquois County Public Health Department received an audit of lab tests last week on a bird collected in Iroquois County.
According to Terry Eimen, director of environmental health, a crow was found on 27 August in the city of Loda, which tested positive for West Nile virus.
"The West Nile virus season will not be over until the weather is cooler and the mosquito larvae will not be able to grow," said Eimen. "If we have rain in the coming weeks and temperatures remain high, we still have the potential for developing new mosquito crops."
The Iroquois County Public Health Department is again offering the following advice to residents to protect themselves from West Nile virus:
• Dispose of containers containing water such as cans, buckets, drums, bottles and old tires.
• Fill low areas where water can stay in your yard.
• Keep gutters free of leaves and debris
• Keep sewers, ditches and culverts free of weeds and debris so water flows properly.
• Cover garbage cans to prevent rainwater.
• Repair leaking pipes and outside faucets.
• Empty children's wading pools at least once a week and store them indoors when not in use.
• Fill in tree rotting holes and hollow stumps that retain water.
• Change the water in bird baths and plant pots or dish racks at least once a week.
• Store covered boats or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
• Keep short cut grass and shrubs cut around the house so that adult mosquitoes do not hide it.
Eimen also expressed these tips provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health to help consumers protect themselves from mosquito bites:
• When possible, avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite.
• Wear light colored protective clothing. The tightly woven materials that cover the arms and legs provide some protection against mosquito bites. Keep the pant legs tucked into boots or socks and button down collar.
• Have a good screening in your home. Make sure window and door screens are tight and all holes are repaired.
• Use mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors or in an unprotected structure, and protect small babies at all times.
• Small dams can be treated for mosquito larvae with "Bti", a bacterial insecticide.
• For additional protection against mosquitoes, use an insect repellent. Do not let children apply the repellent themselves. Do not use repellents on infants.
• Spraying fog or insecticide mist in your garden is only effective for a short time.
• Light electroshock devices ("insect zappers") or sound devices reduce the risk of mosquito bites in an area.
• The installation of bird houses or bats to attract these insectivorous animals has been suggested as a method of fighting mosquitoes. However, there is little scientific evidence that this significantly reduces the mosquito population around homes.
Those interested in more information about West Nile virus can contact their local health department or visit the Illinois Public Health Department website at www.idph.state.il.us
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