By IL Information Service
Springfield, IL – THE WEST NILE VIRUS IS NOT MAKING A MAJOR IMPACT IN ILLINOIS SO FAR THIS SUMMER...BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN THAT MAY CHANGE.
BATCHES OF MOSQUITOES TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE WEST NILE VIRUS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN JACKSON AND FIVE OTHER ILLINOIS COUNTIES...AND NOW BIRDS HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH THE VIRUS IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
THAT'S LESS THAN REPORTED AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR. BUT STATE PUBLIC HEALTH SPOKESPERSON MELANEY ARNOLD SAYS THE RECEDING FLOODWATERS COULD CREATE MORE MOSQUITO PROBLEMS.
SO FAR...NO HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN ILLINOIS. LAST YEAR 101 HUMAN CASES WERE CONFIRMED...AND FOUR PEOPLE DIED.
