The City of Naperville’s routine mosquito monitoring and testing program has identified West Nile Virus in three of its 10 mosquito traps during recent weekly testing. A trap on Genesee Drive and a trap at Sportsman’s Park off West Street tested positive during two consecutive weeks, July 20 and July 27. Additionally, a trap on Olesen Drive tested positive for the first time during the week of July 20.

Prevention Efforts

Following the positive test results, City crews treated the affected areas as a precaution, inspected for mosquito breeding sites, and re-treated nearby catch basins. To help control the mosquito population in Naperville, City crews inspect for and remove standing water where possible and treat ponds, marsh areas, and catch basins throughout the City to target the mosquitoes in the larval stage.

The City monitors and tests its 10 mosquito traps weekly to evaluate the effectiveness of larval control, provide early warnings when adult populations are rising, and test for West Nile Virus. When necessary, the City will utilize spraying to control the adult mosquito population. In these cases, the City uses the safest chemicals available in very low volumes and sprays only as needed.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people who are infected with the West Nile Virus have no symptoms or experience very mild symptoms three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/mosquitocontrol or www.naperville.il.us.

Original reporting: Positively Naperville (Aurora area) — read the source article.