Naperville Trap Snags Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes found in a trap in Naperville tested positive for West Nile virus, the Will County Health Department announced on Wednesday. This is the first confirmed incident in Will County this year.

The mosquito samples were gathered on Aug. 1 and the presence of West Nile was verified on Aug. 2, according to a news release from Will County. The county is the 12th county in the state to report the activity this summer. No human cases have been reported in the state, but 134 mosquito pools and four birds have tested positive so far for West Nile virus.

The virus was found in July in DuPage County and the mosquitoes were gathered in a trap in Lemont.

Since 2005 Will County has confirmed at least 54 human infections and two fatalities, according to the county. Residents are encouraged to take measures to protect themselves from West Nile virus, including wearing insect repellant that contains DEET.

The mosquitoes typically implicated in the virus transmission are most active at dawn and dusk, according to the Will County Health Department. Long sleeves, shoes, socks and long pants will also protect against the virus' transmission.  

For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.idph.state.il.us

Read a previous about protecting against bug bites.