Jonathan Bullington, Triblocal.com reporter
A pool of mosquitoes from Evanston has tested positive for West Nile Virus, city officials said.
The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District conducted the test, which stands as the first West Nile positive pool identified in Evanston this year, officials said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 80 percent of people infected with the virus don’t show symptoms, while one in 150 infected people develop severe illness. Severe symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss and paralysis.
While no human cases of West Nile have been reported in Illinois this year, Evanston officials urged residents to be on the look out for water that has been standing for more than five days or dead birds seen in the city. If either is identified, residents should call the city’s Health Department at 847-866-2949 or e-mail health@cityofevanston.org.
The city also provided the following tips to protect against West Nile Virus:
- Eliminate mosquitoes from property
- Dump water out of birdbaths, children’s toys, pet dishes and rain gutters
- Remove old tires, empty planters and other containers that hold water
- Wear long sleeves and long pants at dusk and dawn
- Read instructions on repellent labels before using
