The DuPage County Health Department confirmed on July 20, 2010 that initial tests of mosquito traps in the Village of Clarendon Hills were positive for West Nile Virus. The presence of West Nile Virus has persisted and grown in DuPage and Cook counties.
West Nile Virus can spread with continued hot, dry weather. The Clarendon Blackhawk Mosquito Abatement District (MAD) is in charge of mosquito control efforts. This summer, the MAB has been conducting larval control. The MAB plans additional adult mosquito population control measures for Saturday, September 2 from 7:30 to midnight. Please see an MAD press release from August 31 for additional information. To learn more about mosquito control, please see this information released by the Clarendon Blackhawk MAD.
The West Nile Virus can be transmitted to humans from the bite of infected mosquitoes. The DuPage County Department of Health recommends taking the following precautions:
- 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, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
- 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.
- 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. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
Press Release issued July 20, 2010
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| What is West Nile Virus? |
"Encephalitis" is an inflammation of the brain caused by viruses and bacteria, including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States. It has recently moved into Illinois.
Humans get the West Nile Virus largely from the bite of mosquitoes. Although some 150 species of mosquitoes are found in the United States, the primary transmitter of West Nile is Culex Pipiens. The female mosquito catches the virus when it bites an infected bird, and can then pass it along if it later bites a human. Humans do not get it from other humans or animals.
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| What Organization Fights Mosquitoes? |
Clarendon Blackhawk Mosquito Abatement District
P.O. Box 77
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
President: R.E. Holub
1st Vice President: R.N. Quoss
2nd Vice President: W.A. Barouski
Treasurer/Secretary: A. Najera
The Clarendon Blackhawk Mosquito Abatement District is a separate taxing body and is not directed by or controlled by the Village of Clarendon Hills. Please contact the Mosquito Abatement District for further questions.
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| Clarendon Blackhawk Mosquito Abatement District Press Releases |
August 8, 2007
June 12, 2007
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| Where Can I Find More Information? |
Center for Disease Control
DuPage Health Department
CDC - Questions & Answers
Illinois Department of Public Health
West Nile Fever.com
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