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West Nile infected mosquitos found in Winnetka, Northfield and Glenview
Updated: September 7, 2012 2:58PM
WINNETKA — Mosquitos infected with the West Nile virus have now been found in all North Shore communities, according to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement district.
This week, Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth, Glencoe and Glenview were added to a list of communities with the infected insects. The list already included Wilmette, Skokie, Evanston, Niles and Lincolnwood.
The pool in Winnetka was collected July 6 by staff from the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) and tested in the agency’s Northfield laboratory Tuesday. Pools in Northfield and Glenview were collected July 9, while the samples in Glencoe and Kenilworth were collected July 11.
Mosquito experts have cautioned that the summer of 2012 could be a bad year for West Nile if the summer turned out to be hot and dry. Mosquito populations were allowed an earlier start on breeding this year thanks to a mild winter and warm spring. That head start could dramatically increase the number of culex pipiens, the northern house mosquito that is primarily responsible for transmitting the West Nile virus from birds to humans.
NSMAD, which serves 13 communities from Evanston north to the Lake County border, also found higher counts of culex mosquitos in its traps this spring.
The NSMAD reminds residents to protect themselves by avoiding outdoor activity during the hours around dawn and dusk; covering exposed skin with loose fitting, light colored clothing, and wearing repellent. Residents should also check around their homes and eliminate any sources of standing water, as this provides the mosquitoes with potential breeding sites.
Residents are urged to use mosquito repellent that contains DEET or an alternative approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). For more information on insect repellent, find a link to the CDC at the NSMAD’s website: nsmad.com
