The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District has found the first West Nile virus positive mosquitoes to occur in their traps in Evanston this year.
One batch of mosquitoes collected on July 12 from an District trap in Evanston tested positive for West Nile virus on July 14.
While the risk of being infected with West Nile virus is low at this time, the District recommends that residents take personal protection measures to minimize mosquito bites, including:
- Use insect repellent
- Wear loose fitting clothing
- Avoid peak mosquito feeding times during the hours around dawn and dusk
- Examine property and eliminate any items that can hold water, particularly smaller items that may be easily overlooked
Please contact the District at 847-446-9434 or completing the online form to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. Remember, if it can hold water, it can breed mosquitoes.
For additional information, contact the Evanston Health and Human Services Department via email at health@cityofevanston.org or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may call 311 directly while in Evanston.