6 Northbrook Mosquito Batches Test Positive For West Nile: Agency

NORTHBROOK, IL — Less than one week after the first human contracted the West Nile virus in the state this summer, six of six mosquito batches collected in Northbrook have come back positive for the disease. The Northfield-based North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected the infected mosquitoes last week and said they tested positive on Tuesday.

For Northbrook, seven of 61 batches tested have come back positive for the West Nile virus, the first coming on July 2.

RELATED: Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Northbrook — Agency

While NSMAD says the risk of infection for humans remains low, people are encouraged to take personal protection measures like using an EPA registered mosquito repellent. Wearing proper attire and eliminating or draining items that can hold stagnant water around their property will help to further reduce risk, according to the agency. Residents should contact the NSMAD for assistance with large areas of standing water.

With six people dying as a result of contracting the West Nile virus in Illinois last year, health officials have been closely monitoring the disease this summer. On July 17,the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first human case of 2024 in the state, occurring in suburban Cook County.

While the residence of the person has not been released, officials did say they are in their 60s and first started exhibiting symptoms in mid-June. IDPH typically sends the first positive human case to the Centers for Disease Control, and are currently waiting the results of confirmatory testing with that agency.

For comparison, the first human case in 2023 was reported in late June. In all, there were 119 human cases last summer, up from 34 cases in 2022.

RELATED: 1st Human Case Of West Nile Virus Found In Suburban Cook County — IDPH