Mosquito Spraying In Niles, Morton Grove Set For Monday

MORTON GROVE, IL — Mosquito control operations are scheduled Monday night across Niles and Morton Grove, as well as a portion of Skokie, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District announced. The targeted spraying and insecticide application is planned between 8 p.m. on July 16 and 2 a.m. on July 17, weather permitting.

There have been five batches of mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile virus in Niles and Morton Grove this year as of July 11, and the northern Cook County district said overall mosquito populations were also well above average for this time of year.

The district reported 48 samples of mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been found among 757 batches tested as of July 11. Statewide, there have been 156 positive batches found across 28 counties, according to state public health officials.

The rate of infection among mosquitoes remains above average, rising from 1.35 to 3.9 infected mosquitoes per every 1,000 tested, according to the district's weekly report.

Last year in Illinois, eight people died among 90 confirmed human cases. One human case, a Chicago woman in her 60s, has been reported so far in 2018. The risk of humans becoming infected is low but increasing, and human infections mostly occur during July through September. Human cases often go unreported, as relatively healthy people with West Nile can be asymptomatic, according to public health officials. People with the virus infected can experience fever, nausea and headaches for weeks.

The district recommended residents use insect repellent, wear loose fitting clothing and avoid peak mosquito feeding times around dawn and dusk to protect themselves. To report areas that may produce mosquitoes –including roadside ditches, flooded yards or elsewhere – call 847-446-9434 or report standing water or a dead bird online to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.

Areas affected by planned July 16-17 mosquito control operations:

Related:

• First West Nile Positive Mosquitoes Found In Lake County
• First Human Case Of West Nile Virus In Illinois For 2018
• First West Nile Mosquitoes Of Year Found In Glenview, Morton Grove