Whiteside County Health Department confirmed that mosquitoes collected in Sterling, and Rock Falls, IL, during the second week of July 2018, tested positive for West Nile Virus.
WCHD Environmental Health Director Gene Johnston stated, “This discovery is the earliest on record for mosquito pools in Whiteside County, since the West Nile Virus surveillance program began in 2002. Recent 90° weather and drier conditions are likely contributing factors to this early finding.”
The Centers for Disease Control reports, West Nile is a virus most commonly spread to people by mosquito bites. In North America, cases of West Nile virus (WNV) occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. WNV cases have been reported in all of the continental United States.
There are no vaccines to prevent, or medications to treat, WNV. If you see an overall rash, usually on the back, stomach, and/or chest, this may be a WNV symptom.
Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not have symptoms. About 1-in-5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1-out-of-150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.