The Stark County Health Department is reporting that their first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus was a Stark County specimen batch collected and tested on May 28.
“The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for local residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,” said department officials. “The best defense against West Nile virus is to practice the ‘three R’s’: reduce, repel, and report.”
IDPH urges everyone, and especially those who are older or have weakened immune systems, to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.
IDPH and local health departments maintain a surveillance system to monitor West Nile both in the environment, with laboratory testing of mosquito batches and sick horses, and among Illinois residents by investigating and monitoring human infections.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a culex mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.
Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. Most people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms; however, in rare cases, severe illness including meningitis, encephalitis, or even death, can occur.
People older than 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from the virus.
