West Nile mosquitoes aren't biting

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PRINCETON — It’s been a fairly good year for the West Nile virus, at least locally.

On Oct. 2, Carey Panier, director of environmental health for the Bureau County Health Department, announced the 2008 mosquito surveillance season for the West Nile Virus has ended for Bureau and Putnam counties. 

To date, none of the 198 mosquito samples taken by the local health department tested positive for the virus, Panier said. Mosquito traps had been located this summer in Spring Valley, Ohio, Princeton and Seatonville in Bureau County, as well as Putnam (Lake Thunderbird), Hennepin and Mark/Granville in Putnam County.

Statewide, Illinois had 13 human cases of West Nile Virus reported this year, as of Tuesday, but no fatalities. Nationwide, the hardest hit state this year was California with 295 human cases, including six fatalities. The next hardest hit state was Mississippi with 91 cases, including three fatalities.

Although Bureau and Putnam counties did not have any positive mosquito samples or human cases this year, other surrounding counties were not so fortunate, Panier said. Whiteside County had a positive human case; Lee County had both a positive bird and mosquito pool; and LaSalle County had a positive bird.

The Bureau/Putnam County Health Department will continue to collect dead birds through Oct. 15. for testing, Panier said. Anyone with a bird that has been dead less than 24 hours, without obvious signs of trauma or bloating, may contact the health department.

Though the official 2008 West Nile Virus surveillance season is over, health officials know West Nile Virus activity is still out there, even if at low levels, Panier said. The concentration may not be as dense as previous years, however the threat of the virus may still be present.

With plenty of fall activities still ahead, Panier recommended people continue to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Screens should be intact. Containers with standing water should be dumped. People should also wear protective clothing and use insect repellent when outdoors, especially during morning and evening hours, Panier said.

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