Officials in McDonough County say a batch of mosquitoes has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
The mosquitoes tested were collected from this Monday through Wednesday in the area of Good Hope.
The McDonough County Health Department is reminding residents to practice the three “R’s” – reduce, repel and report.
That means to reduce exposure by avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn, make sure windows have tight fitting screens, keep your body covered when outdoors, and report dead birds to your local health department.
You also should think about contacting your municipal government about areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
As of last week there had only been 40 cases of West Nile in the U.S. in 2021 and 3 in Illinois.
