Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Found In Aurora

AURORA, Ill. (STMW) --A batch of mosquitoes trapped in west suburban Aurora has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Kane County Health Department.

Last week, a trap near Algonquin administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health was found to contain mosquitoes that tested positive for the disease, and infected mosquitoes have also been trapped in Naperville, the Beacon News reports.

As part of its West Nile program, the Health Department is collecting dead birds to be sent to the state lab for testing. Call 630-444-3040 to report the presence of freshly-dead birds (such as crows or blue jays) to determine if West Nile testing is recommended.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness.

Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)