McLean County Health officials report second pool of mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

Posted on August 6, 2021
Mosquito
West Nile virus can be fatal in humans, so people who start to feel sick after getting a mosquito bite should watch for symptoms such as high fever and severe body aches and seek medical attention promptly should they appear. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Cases of West Nile Virus are expanding in the Twin-cities as local health officials report a second mosquito pool tested positive for the virus.

On Friday, health officials reported a mosquito pool collected in the 61705 zip code area, east of Bloomington. Last week, officials said that a mosquito pool in the 61705 zip code area west of Bloomington also tested positive.

Additionally, authorities reported that a dead bird tested positive for the virus in the 61761 zip code area.

“Residents are advised to limit time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn and to take precautionary measures to limit exposure to mosquitoes,” said McLean County Health Department Public Affairs Coordinator Marianne Manko.

Cases of the virus can cause a slight fever or headache; severe cases can lead to high fever, paralysis, or death.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that McLean County is one of 21 counties in Illinois with confirmed West Nile Virus cases.

In Illinois, authorities report 401 positive mosquito pool samples and one human case of the virus in Cook County.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…