No news is good news

PRINCETON — So far, so good.

On Monday, Christopher Gabrys, environmental health assistant with the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department, announced no mosquito samples collected so far this year in the two-county area have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Mosquito traps are set up in Ohio, Princeton, Seatonville, Spring Valley, Lake Thunderbird, Hennepin, and Granville/Mark.  

Though there have not been any local positive mosquito samples, that doesn’t mean people can let up their guard, Gabrys said.

People still need to take precautions against mosquito bites, Gabrys said Monday afternoon. In fact, more mosquitoes could be present in the area from the recent flooding and rains. The season for West Nile virus doesn’t end until the weather remains consistently cooler, not until mid-fall, he said.

For precautions against WNV, residents are urged to eliminate standing water and potential mosquito habitats, Gabrys said. Also, they should be sure to use insect repellent when outdoors, especially during morning and evening hours, Gabrys said.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease which can cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. Infected mosquitoes may pass the virus on to birds, animals and humans.  

Gabrys said the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department is collecting dead crows, blue jays, robins, and other “perching birds,” as these birds are the most likely to die from West Nile virus. The health department urges residents to contact the department if they find a dead bird. However, not all dead birds will be picked up and tested, he said.

Birds dying from WNV are usually found singly, scattered over a wide area, Gabrys said. In contrast, birds that die from other causes, such as storm mortality, food poisoning, toxicants, often die in groups or clusters in a small area, he said.

On July 10, Dr. Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, announced the first birds in Illinois had tested positive for WNV this year, on June 24 in Rockford.

“These positive results remind us we need to protect ourselves against mosquitoes, especially with all the recent flooding,” Arnold said. “As the waters from the flooding recede and pools of water are left behind, we’ll start seeing more and more mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. I urge everyone to get rid of any stagnant water around their homes to reduce the number of mosquitoes and to make sure you wear insect repellent to protect yourself.”

So far this summer, mosquito batches testing positive for West Nile virus have been reported in Adams, DuPage, Cook, Jackson, St. Clair and Tazewell counties.

The Bureau/Putnam Health Department will continue to collect dead crows, robins, blue jays, and other “perching birds.” until Oct. 15. For more information, contact Gabrys at (815) 872-5091, extension 235.

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