Anti-Mosquito Spraying Planned For Deerfield

DEERFIELD, IL — Anti-mosquito spraying has been scheduled for Friday night in in Deerfield, the village announced. The Southlake Mosquito Abatement District is due to carry out mosquito control treatment in the northwest portion of Deerfield after 10 p.m., if the weather allows.

The area where insecticide is set to be applied includes portions of the village north of Deerfield Road and west of Waukegan Road. (See map below.) According to the district, the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County this year were collected June 13 in Highland Park.

"West Nile Virus is endemic to Lake County, which means that we should expect to see positive mosquito samples each year," said Barbara Struthers, president of the Southlake Mosquito Abatement District. "Last year, 72 positive mosquito pools (batch of mosquitoes) were identified in Lake County, and the presence of the virus in mosquitoes led to eight positive human cases."

In 2018, 17 people died from the virus in Illinois out of 176 confirmed cases, according to public health officials. Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches and may last from a few days to a few weeks. Four out of five people who contract the virus virus will not show any symptoms. No human cases have been confirmed in 2019 in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"As we start to see higher temperatures, we will start to see more West Nile virus activity," Ezike said last month. "While we see West Nile virus in Illinois every year, it is important not to become complacent. It's easy to take precautions to protect yourself by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around your home."

Standing water and mosquito concerns can be reported to Southlake Mosquito Control District's hotline at 800-942-2555. Dead birds can be reported to the Lake County Health Department by calling 847-377-8300. And residents wishing to receive phone calls from the district's contractor, Clarke Environment, when future anti-mosquito operations take place can sign up online.

Earlier: First Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Found On North Shore