With warmer and then hot weather approaching, the Will County Health Department Environmental Health Division has activated their West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Hotline.
Humans can develop West Nile Virus when bitten by a Culex mosquito, after it has bitten a bird infected by WNV. If you spot a dead bird on your property, you are asked to call the Health Department’s hotline at 1-815-740-7631 to report it. The most common birds that carry WNV are robins, blue jays, and crows.
Please call the Will County Health Department West Nile Surveillance Hotline if you find a dead bird on your property.
Meanwhile, WCHD Environmental Health has begun setting up its scheduled 14 mosquito traps around Will County, designed for frequent testing of possible West Nile Virus activity in the area. Residents are reminded to wear long pants, long sleeves, and shoes and socks during peak mosquito hours, which are from dusk to dawn. Insect repellent containing DEET is recommended.
One of 14 WCHD mosquito traps planned for around Will County during this year’s West Nile Virus season. This one has been installed on the property of the Will County Health Department’s Main Building and Community Health Center.