Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have turned up in three DuPage County communities, prompting health officials to issue an early-season warning before summer really hits full swing.
Last Tuesday, the DuPage County Health Department confirmed that mosquito pools collected in Roselle, Glendale Heights and Wheaton tested positive for West Nile virus. No human cases have been reported in the county so far, but officials say the early detection points to a higher risk of mosquito activity and are urging residents to take the threat seriously.
According to NBC Chicago, the positive mosquito samples were identified through routine laboratory testing, and county staff are continuing to monitor trap results throughout the season. The outlet reports the samples were collected last week, and local health staff have asked residents to report stagnant water and stick to the usual bite-prevention playbook.
How to Fight the Bite
The DuPage County Health Department highlights the “3 R’s” in its Personal Protection Index: reduce mosquito habitat, repel with EPA-registered insect repellent, and report problem areas to county staff. To cut down on breeding spots, the county recommends emptying birdbaths and outdoor containers at least once a week. People are also urged to wear long sleeves and long pants at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, and to use the county’s reporting tools for dead birds or persistent standing water, the DuPage County Health Department says.
What the Numbers Mean
West Nile virus is the leading cause of domestically acquired arboviral disease in the United States, and recent national surveillance shows how routine it has become. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented 2,628 human West Nile cases and 208 deaths in 2023. Most infections never cause symptoms, but when they do, illness typically starts two to six days after an infectious bite. In the most severe cases, patients may need hospitalization and can face long-term neurological problems; for more detail, see the CDC’s CDC clinical guidance.
Statewide Picture
DuPage is not alone. Testing across Illinois has already turned up infected mosquito pools in multiple counties this spring, signaling that the virus is circulating beyond local borders. As reported by CBS Chicago, the Illinois Department of Public Health has recorded positive mosquito batches in neighboring counties this season.
Health officials say residents should keep an eye out for large mosquito swarms, dead perching birds, or water that has been standing for more than a week and report those to the DuPage County Health Department. Anyone who develops symptoms such as fever, severe headache or confusion is urged to contact a healthcare provider. More information and reporting instructions are available on the county’s contact and West Nile information pages at the DuPage County Health Department.
