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West Nile Found in Mosquito Pools in Galesburg
West Nile Virus remains in Knox County.

The Knox County Health Department says it's early yet, but samples from two different pools of mosquitos discovered in Galesburg Township have tested positive for the disease that is born in mosquitos.

The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, and Health Department Environmental Director Wil Hayes tells WGIL there are certain types of mosquitos you should and shouldn't be worried about. "Such as the tree hole mosquito -- and those aren't disease carriers," Hayes said. "They're a pain. No one likes having them around. They bite. They hurt. There are even some varieties that are very aggressive during the daytime. The good thing is, they're not the ones we're concerned about for encephalitis or West Nile Virus. We get more concerned about the house mosquito, which is a container-breeder. It breeds in used tires, containers, bird baths, things like that, that sit stagnant holding water."

Hayes says the best way to prevent mosquito bites includes using mosquito repellant, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and avoid being out when mosquitos are most active, including at dawn and dusk.

Hayes says it's still early in the West Nile Virus testing season, so there may yet be more cases to report. No humans in Illinois have yet tested positive for West Nile Virus.

For more tips on West Nile Virus, CLICK HERE (pdf document).
06 23 09 by Newsroom
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