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June 14, 2022

News • June 14, 2022

Mosquito activity to ramp up with changing season

By

McHENRY COUNTY — The McHenry County Department of Health is encouraging residents to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses by being proactive to prevent mosquito bites and breeding sites.

Floodwater mosquitoes, which deposit their eggs in low lying areas that are later flooded, typically emerge about 2 weeks after heavy rains and can be a major nuisance problem for several weeks. Floodwater mosquitoes are generally aggressive daytime biters.  However, floodwater mosquitoes have not been significant carriers of disease in Illinois.

West Nile virus in Illinois is primarily associated with the Culex species of mosquito which lay their eggs in warm, stagnant water with high organic content, particularly in artificial containers.  Culex mosquitoes can lay their eggs in small amounts of water in containers like bowls, cups, tires, vases and barrels. A Culex mosquito’s life cycle, from egg to adult, is typically completed in about a week. The most effective means of controlling mosquitoes is to eliminate potential breeding sites on your property by preventing water from accumulating in containers.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected with the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but about 20% of individuals may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and swollen glands. Severe symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, delirium, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures and coma. See your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of these warning signs.

There is no vaccine available for West Nile virus, and people older than 60 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.

Culex and floodwater mosquitoes can transmit canine/feline heartworms to pets. Talk to your veterinarian about placing your pet on a heartworm preventative medication.

MCDH’s primary focus is the surveillance of diseases that can emerge from mosquitoes and does not conduct mosquito control. Surveillance for West Nile virus in McHenry County began on May 1 and includes regular collection and testing of mosquito batches from multiple, established locations in McHenry County.

The best ways to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses is to be proactive and follow these tips:

When outdoors:

  • Avoid being outdoors when Culex mosquitoes are most active, especially at dusk and dawn.
  • Wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and use an EPA-registered insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone per label directions. Consult with your healthcare provider before using insect repellant on infants.

 

In and around the home

  • Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.  Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
  • Keep rain gutters clear of any leaves or other debris.
  • Eliminate sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including buckets or other containers and old rimless tires.
  • Frequently change the water in pet dishes, wading pools, birdbaths and other small containers.

 

MCDH’s Division of Environmental Health is also collecting a small number of dead birds, primarily crows and blue jays, and shipping them to a laboratory to be tested for West Nile virus and Avian flu (H5N1). Bird specimens must be in good condition with no signs of insects, or obvious injury or decay. Residents who observe a dead or dying crow, blue jay or other perching bird should call MCDH’s Division of Environmental Health at (815) 334-4585. Staff will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.

 

To prevent the risk of infection from West Nile virus, H5N1 or any other pathogen, residents should avoid any direct contact with dead birds by following these tips:

  • Use a barrier such as disposable impermeable gloves or an inverted bag when picking up a dead bird. Goggles or other eye protection is recommended if the bird carcass is in a wet environment.
  • Bird carcasses should be double bagged and placed in the trash. If it is to be tested, it should be placed in a cool location until pickup.
  • After handling a dead bird, avoid touching the face with gloved or unwashed hands.
  • Discard the disposable gloves and disinfect reusable goggles.

 

If people encounter five or more deceased wild waterfowl, waterbirds or raptors in one location, they should contact their local Illinois Department of Natural Resources district wildlife biologist or USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297. To find an IDNR wildlife biologist, visit bit.ly/IDNRbiologists.

 

For more information about mosquitoes in McHenry County, visit MCDH.info. For additional tips on preventing mosquito-borne illness, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.