The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District has announced mosquitoes have been testing positive for West Nile virus throughout the summer with the newest batch testing positive in Kenilworth on Aug. 3.
The mosquitoes, according to a news release, were collected on July 3. Other mosquitoes have tested positive in Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka.
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Despite the positive test results, officials say the risk of being infected is low. To prevent contracting the virus, they suggest using repellents registered with the EPA, wearing loose clothing and avoiding peak feeding times around dawn and dusk.
Mosquitoes reproduce is still water so removal of water from items such as bird baths and buckets can help prevent the spread of the disease.
According to the district website, West Nile virus causes symptoms including fever and mild headache in mild cases and body aches, tremors, disorientation and convulsion in more severe cases. At worst, the disease can cause paralysis or death. Symptoms occur within three to 14 days from infection and those 50 years of age and older are particularly at risk.
Testing began this year during the week of May 13 with no mosquitoes testing positive. The first batch to test positive came from Northfield after being collected on June 2. Evanston soon had a batch test positive with Lincolnwood not far behind. In total, 40 batches have tested positive out of the 637 checked.
In 2022, a total of 1726 batches were tested through Oct. 1 with 456 finding West Nile virus infected mosquitoes. Evanston held the lions share of positive cases that year as it has trended since 2020. Skokie and Evanston have gone back and forth for the top spot since 2011, according to data on the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District website.