Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Lake County

Lake County health officials said a batch of mosquitoes sampled June 24 at a Southlake Mosquito Abatement District trap in Highland Park tested positive for West Nile virus.

Last year 154 of 723 mosquito batches tested positive for West Nile in Lake County. Since 2002, there have been 86 confirmed human cases in Lake County and five confirmed deaths.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness but some may have fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches usually three to five days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, health officials say.

The virus may cause severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, and even death can occur.

Health officials recommend following the 4 Ds of Defense: Draining standing water on your property; using insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, or IR3535; being aware that dawn to dusk is prime mosquito time; and wearing long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes outdoors to cover your skin.