McHenry County Blog

A press release from the McHenry County Health Department:

West Nile virus found in mosquitoes

Latest trap from McCullom Lake

WOODSTOCK IL – McHenry County Department of Health reports another batch of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), this time in McCullom Lake.

Following last week’s initial report, Fox River Grove had a 2nd positive batch.

According to the latest report from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), 24 other counties have reported 106 positive mosquito batches and 17 positive birds but no human cases so far this year.

One human case of WNV was reported in McHenry County in each of the last two years.

Six birds have been submitted and tested with negative results.

From the McHenry County Health Department web site.

IDPH believes that a hot summer increases mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus.

The risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost.

You can reduce your risk by avoiding being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk, dawn), use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.

Other tips include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible. Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.

A press release from the McHenry County Health Department:

Mosquitoes in Fox River Grove Test Positive for West Nile Virus

WOODSTOCK IL – McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has reported that mosquitoes from a mosquito trap in Fox River Grove have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first positive test for WNV in McHenry County since last year. MCDH has tested 122 mosquito batches as of July 11; all other batches tested negative for WNV. Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) indicates that as of July 5th, nineteen other counties have reported 64 positive mosquito batches and seventeen positive birds but no human cases so far this year. One human case of WNV was reported in McHenry County in each of the last two years. Six birds have been submitted and tested with negative results.

IDPH believes that a hot summer increases mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus. MCDH will continue to collect and test mosquito batches throughout the remainder of the season (mid-October) and will accept a limited number of dead birds for testing. It is important to remember that the risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost. Residents should continue to use insect repellent when going out of doors in the evening, with long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection. Other tips include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible. Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.

Huntley Village President Charles Sass

That’s the biggest news I picked up while taking a look at the Village of Huntley’s Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday night.

The meeting was over in 35 minutes..

The most lengthy item was a 10-year liquor store owner pleading not to allow a Walgreens to sell beer and liquor nearby at 9950 Route 47.

They weren’t black helicopters as some of McHenry County Blog’s readers might expect its writer to be seeing.

And, they weren’t like the ones I saw last time in Crystal Lake.

Actually this one flying quite low back and forth across Route 14 near Crystal Lake’s North Shore was pretty small.

I couldn’t figure out what it was doing.

Then, I went to City Hall and picked up the latest ”City Letter.”

On page 4 was an article entitled,

City Continues Mosquito Abatement Efforts

Then, it all clicked.

In all likelihood, the helicopter was from Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management.

They weren’t black helicopters as some of McHenry County Blog’s readers might expect its writer to be seeing.

And, they weren’t like the ones I saw last time in Crystal Lake.

Actually this one flying quite low back and forth across Route 14 near Crystal Lake’s North Shore was pretty small.

I couldn’t figure out what it was doing.

Then, I went to City Hall and picked up the latest ”City Letter.”

On page 4 was an article entitled,

City Continues Mosquito Abatement Efforts

Then, it all clicked.

In all likelihood, the helicopter was from Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management.