By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Finding perching birds like crows or blue jays dead in a neighborhood could be a sign that mosquitoes in the area are infected with the West Nile virus, the Illinois Department of Public Health says.
It’s the time to pay close attention because the IDPH said it found the first mosquitoes that test positive for West Nile this year.
The IDPH said the mosquitoes were discovered in Godfrey in Madison County. West Nile is transmitted when mosquitoes feed on infected birds.
Residents who see a sick or dying perching bird should contact their local health department immediately.
Melaney Arnold, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said West Nile has been in Illinois for some time.
“Ever since 2002, West Nile virus is considered to be endemic throughout Illinois, and until that mosquito morphs or changes we’re going to continue to see it,” Arnold said.
Common symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, headaches and fever, but four out of five people who contract the virus show no symptoms, according to the IDPH.
In 2016, 152 people contracted West Nile; five people died.
The IDPH provides $3 million in grants to local health departments to look for West Nile activity, test for the virus and purchase larvicide to reduce the mosquito population, which is more effective than spraying in communities, according to Arnold.
“Once that spray is gone, the mosquitoes are free to fly through there at will, so the best thing to do is use a larvicide to kill them where they breed,” Arnold said.
Arnold said there are a couple of things you can do to prevent being bit by mosquitoes.
“The best thing they can do is get rid of any standing water around their house and to protect themselves by wearing insect repellent,” Arnold said.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so it’s best to stay inside during that time, Arnold said.
Arnold said it’s important that people know that the mosquito that carries West Nile is different from the mosquito that carries the Zika virus.
“The type of mosquito that carries Zika virus is not generally found in Illinois,” Arnold said. “We are conducting surveillance to monitor for that type of mosquito.”
