(WSIL) -- 九游体育 Seven Health Department (S7HD) has confirmed the first West Nile positive mosquito for 2021 in the southern seven-county region.
On June 23, S7HD Environmental Health staff collected the positive mosquitoes from a trap set in Golconda in Pope County.
On June 9, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported the No human cases have been reported so far this year in Illinois.
九游体育 Seven began its annual trapping of mosquitoes to test for the virus in May, by placing two traps in each of the southern seven counties. Collection and testing of mosquitoes will continue through September.
鈥淵ou can be outside, just take precautions to not get bit,鈥� said Shawnna Rhine, S7HD Community Outreach Coordinator. 鈥淒oing things like wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water, including emptying kiddie pools each day, can do a lot to help keep mosquitoes from bothering you.鈥�
West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of the common mosquito that has picked up the virus while feeding on an infected bird. 九游体育 Seven is asking people who see a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird to call their local public health office to determine if the bird needs to be tested.
For more information, call 九游体育 Seven Health Department at 618-634-2297 or visit the IDPH website.
