MORRISON, Ill. — The Whiteside County Health Department has identified positive cases of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes found near Morrison.
The insects were collected on Wednesday, July 10. According to health department officials, Culex mosquitoes have a short flight range of about a quarter-mile, meaning that the positive results indicate there are additional infected mosquitoes around Morrison.
According to the Whiteside County Health Department, officials discovered the virus more than a month earlier than in 2023. The virus is most often transmitted in August and September, and the threat remains until the first frost.
The Illinois Department of Health recommends implementing the "three R's" to prevent infection: reduce, repel and report.
Reducing exposure can be done by limiting time outside when mosquitoes are active. The insects are most prevalent between dusk and dawn.
Other methods to avoid mosquitoes include making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and eliminating places with standing water, such as bird baths, flowerpots, old tires and other receptacles. Mosquitoes breed near this environment.
Mosquitoes can be repelled by wearing shoes and socks, along with long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while outdoors. Insect repellants that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 should be used as well.
Lastly, the department asks the public to report anything that might result in the spread of the virus, such as areas of standing water that have been there for more than a week.
Citizens can also report sick or dying birds to their local health department so they can be tested for the virus. Birds that have been hit by a car, ran into a building or have been attacked by another animal are not eligible.
More information on steps to prevent contracting the virus can be found here on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.