Kendall County Health Department warns that mosquito batches collected in early July in both Oswego and Plano have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Positive mosquito batches have also been found in several other surrounding counties including; DuPage, Kane and Will, in addition to counties in central and southern Illinois.

The Kendall County Health Department would like to remind citizens that the risk of West Nile Virus infection is greatest from July through the first hard frost in the fall. During this time please take appropriate actions in order to protect yourself and your loved ones.

To date, no human cases of West Nile Virus have been indentified. However, the positive batch results indicate that the virus has emerged and is in our backyards. Residents should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Kendall County Health Department recommends the following precautions:

• Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.

Additional information on West Nile virus and West Nile virus surveillance can be obtained by calling Environmental Health Services at the Kendall County Health Department, (630) 553-9100 or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.