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3mo ago

West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes Across McHenry and DuPage Counties

DuPage County raised its personal protection index following confirmation of multiple virus-positive mosquito pools

HEMET, CA – APRIL 26: A field sample of mosquitoes that could carry West Nile Virus is seen at offices of the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health on April 26, 2007 in Hemet, California. California health officials announced this week that West Nile Virus season is starting earlier than usual because of an unusually warm March. Mosquitoes that carry the virus have begun breeding earlier than usual and the West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquito pools, birds, or horses in eight California counties. Although the virus has not been detected in humans so far this year, 24 people have died and 1,200 sickened by the virus over the past two years in California. West Nile can be transmitted from infected birds, squirrels, and other animals to humans and animals such as horses through several varieties of female mosquitoes. The disease first appeared in the United States in 1999 in New York and killed hundreds of people during its westward expansion before gaining a firm foothold in California in 2004. In reaction to the early start of West Nile Virus season, the California State Legislature this week declared April 23-29 “West Nile Virus and Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week”. The effected counties include Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Clara, San Diego, Sonoma and Stanislaus. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Health officials confirmed a mosquito batch from Lake in the Hills tested positive for West Nile Virus on June 2, marking McHenry County’s first 2025 detection
  • DuPage County reported WNV-positive mosquito pools collected May 27 in Roselle, Medinah, Clarendon Hills and Burr Ridge
  • No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Illinois so far in 2025, according to state health data
  • Illinois’ mosquito season runs from May through October and transmission risk persists until the first hard frost
  • Health departments are urging residents to use EPA-registered insect repellents, eliminate standing water, wear protective clothing and maintain tight-fitting screens