West Nile Virus Hits Stephenson County

Health officials report the first confirmed case of West Nile virus in Stephenson County on Monday. Here's where it was discovered.

According to mystateline.com, Stephenson County Health Department (SCHD) reporting that a dead blue jay collected inside Lena city limits tested positive for West Nile; the bird was found on July 7th. To date this season, SCHD has tested ten birds, but this is the first to test positively for the West Nile virus. The county has also trapped and tested 30 batches of mosquitoes, none of which have tested positive.

The normal sequence of West Nile spreading is first birds, then mosquitoes and finally humans.

Both Winnebago and Ogle Counties have also had birds test positive for West Nile virus so far this summer.

This is yet another reminder to all to use bug sprays to defend against bug bites when enjoying the outdoors in the Stateline.