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Study Shows West Nile Not Present in Knox County
A summer intern for the health department says Knox County is free of the West Nile Virus.

University of Illinois Senior Adam McKillip says among the state's reported cases of the mosquito-born disease, Knox County is absent from the record.

"In Illinois, we have 19 counties that have confirmed that they also have mosquitoes and birds positive," McKillip said. "And we (Knox County) have no cases so far, so that's good. It's looking really good."

McKillip has collected almost two-thousand female mosquitos himself since May in Knox County. He's used several different trapping locations a week, and has extracted liquid samples to test by grinding the mosquitos up in a basin.

Despite his study's results, McKillip concludes Knox County residents should remain cautious.

"What we have noticed is counties have bringing lots of positive samples. And the problem with that is, it means there's a lot of the virus out there-- which gives an increased to humans."

McKillip advises wearing longer pants when outside, applying proper insect repellent, and eliminating any standing water at your residence.

Positive cases of West Nile have been reported in Warren and Peoria counties.
07 20 12 by Newsroom
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