(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The official start of summer is nearly three weeks away and already there’s word of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus.
The state Department of Public Health is reporting the first three batches of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile. Two in Park Ridge. One in Evanston.
IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement, “We urge everyone -- and especially older people and those with weakened immune systems -- to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry by wearing insect repellent and eliminating standing water” around homes “where mosquitoes breed.”
Monitoring includes lab tests for mosquito batches, dead birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans.
There have been no known human cases, so far, this year.
There were 34 known human cases last year and eight deaths.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches.
The IDPD said most who are infected show no symptoms.
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