Illinois Officials Issue West Nile Virus Warning

With all the rain we've had Winnebago County is reminding residents about West Nile Virus, carried by mosquitos. The most common areas for mosquitos to live is near standing water that has been present for a week, in old leaves and sticks, and even water collecting in rimless rubber tires. WREX suggests cleaning up those aforementioned locations and also shared the three R's; "reduce. repel, report".

Wearing shoes with socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors
Using EPA-registered insect repellent containing 25-30% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535, according to label instructions.

There was only one known human case of West Nile Virus in Winnebago County last year, according to MyStateline.com. That's not stopping Illinois Health Department from looking for volunteers to plant mosquito traps, though. According to WTVO,

The Winnebago County Health Department is looking for volunteers to help place mosquito traps in homeowners' back yards. Residents who would like to be a Mosquito Captain can contact them at 815-720-4100 for more information.

Remember the three R's this season.