2008 Mosquito Update

West Chicago, Illinois: March 14, 2008 - The West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District (M.A.D) has released its 2008 Mosquito Season Update. The Update includes information on the West Nile Virus (WNV), with an overview on the efforts of the District to control nuisance mosquitoes, reduce the potential of mosquito-borne disease transmission, and provide a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for district residents. The report also includes tips that can help people in the fight against the West Nile Virus.

Since 1999, WNV has rapidly spread across the United States. Because WNV is so widespread in bird and mosquito populations, the virus has become established as an annual mosquito-borne disease threat. In 2007, the State of Illinois recorded 101 human cases of WNV, while the total number of cases in United States reached 3,598, including 121 fatalities. The following states recorded the most WNV cases in 2007 in descending order: CO, CA, ND, SD, TX, MT, WY, NE, MS, and ID. Colorado recorded the highest case count of 576.

DuPage County recorded 10 human cases in 2007, compared to 43 cases in 2006, 47 in 2005, 5 in 2004, 3 in 2003, and 51 in 2002. Intensive mosquito population surveillance is performed by the State of Illinois Department of Health, DuPage County, and Clarke Mosquito Control. Overall in 2007, surveillance confirmed 1 bird and 176 adult mosquito samples positive for WNV within DuPage County. This research continues to reveal a significant WNV presence throughout the county since the major 2002 epidemic.

Clarke Mosquito Control will maintain close contact with the Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the DuPage County Health Department regarding WNV data and trends during the 2008 season.

Symptoms of the disease are initially similar to the flu, with muscle weakness and disorientation. Though the majority of those infected will have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, in some individuals, WNV can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and in severe cases, paralysis, coma or death. The disease is most serious - even fatal - in those with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District Program Overview

The City of West Chicago is within the boundary of the twenty-seven (27) square mile, West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District (WCMAD). The objectives of the WCMAD are to control nuisance mosquitoes, reduce the potential of mosquito-borne disease transmission, and provide a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for district residents. The primary targets of the program are the floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans) - the dominant nuisance species, and the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens) - the potential disease carrier.

Environmentally sensitive and effective mosquito control is accomplished within the WCMAD utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach that includes the following components: larval site monitoring, biological control, and
the careful and strategic use of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency labeled and registered pesticide products.

In WCMAD's IPM approach, potential and historical larval sites are frequently inspected, biological control agents (fish, insect growth regulators, and Bacillus bacteria byproducts) are utilized whenever possible. The adult mosquito population is scientifically monitored; pesticides are strategically applied only when necessary. The key is to concentrate on larval control within the district boundary, scientifically assess the adult population, and perform adulticiding only on an as needed basis.

What Can Residents Do?

According to Clarke Mosquito Control, our partners in mosquito control, individuals can take the following steps to protect themselves against infection and assist in the fight against WNV:

If outdoors when mosquitoes are active, dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, long pants and socks when outdoors during prime mosquito hours. Apply mosquito repellent with DEET to clothing and exposed skin in accordance with label directions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
Discard any outdoor container that might hold water, or empty water from wading pools and birdbaths once a week.
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 grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
Since dead birds (crows, blue jays and raptors) can be the first warning that WNV is present in the area, report dead birds on your property to the DuPage County Health Department.

For the latest information on WNV, consult the Illinois Department of Health website at www.idph.state.il.us.

Mosquito Hotline

District residents are encouraged to report standing water areas that could develop larvae, and excessive mosquito annoyance conditions. The calls should be made to WCMAD's contractor, Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. of Roselle, on the MOSQUITO HOTLINE @ 1-800-942-2555.