ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) – Mosquitoes in Rock Island have tested positive for West Nile virus.
According to the Rock Island County Health Department, a group of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus, confirming its presence in the county.
The health department explains that mosquito and virus activity will increase due to the summer weather currently in full swing.
The ministry urges the public to take precautions by minimizing exposure and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed.
Typical symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, nausea, headache and muscle pain, and symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks.
Although four out of five people infected with the virus do not show any symptoms, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with West Nile virus, the ministry said.
The Illinois Department of Public Health advises people to follow the three R’s.
RReduce contact with mosquitoes by limiting your time outdoors between dusk and dawn, ensuring tight window screens, and avoiding standing water.
RProtect yourself outdoors by staying covered with socks, shoes, long pants and shirts and by applying insect repellent.
RReport dead birds to your local health department, as infected birds can transmit the virus to mosquitoes, which can bite humans. Dead birds can be reported to the Rock Island County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 309-558-2840.
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