Anti-Mosquito Spraying Scheduled For Deerfield

DEERFIELD, IL — Anti-mosquito operations are scheduled for Wednesday night in Deerfield, village officials announced. Clarke Environmental, the contractor for the Southlake Mosquito Abatement District, plans to spray insecticide in the northwest portion of the village after 10 p.m., weather permitting.

So far in 2019, only one sample of mosquitoes in Lake County has tested positive for West Nile virus. It was collected from traps in Highland Park on June 13.

Last year, 72 samples tested positive and eight human cases of the virus were confirmed in the county, according to Barbara Struthers, president of the mosquito abatement district.

"West Nile Virus is endemic to Lake County, which means that we should expect to see positive mosquito samples each year," Struthers said.

The Southlake Mosquito Abatement District covers Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods. It operates with no facilities, a volunteer staff and outsources its mosquito control operations.

Its contractor, Clarke, uses a product called Merus 3.0 for adult mosquito control, which is Organic Material Review Institute listed and meets standards set by the National Organic Program for use around the production or processing or organic crops. Its active ingredient is pyrethrins, which are usually derived from chrysanthemum flowers.

As of the first week of July, there have been positive tests for West Nile virus in 14 Illinois counties, including 82 positive samples of mosquitoes and two birds. According to public health officials 17 people died last year among 176 confirmed human cases of hte virus. Since 2002 in Lake County, there have been 73 human cases and four deaths.

Most of those who contract West Nile will not show symptoms, according to public health officials. Symptoms can take up to two weeks to show up after a bite from a mosquito with the virus and can include fever, nausea and aches. Older people and those with weaker immune systems face higher risks of complications, including meningitis and encephalitis.

Residents can report concerns about mosquitoes or standing water to the Southlake Mosquito Control District's hotline at 800-942-2555. To report dead birds, call the Lake County Health Department by calling 847-377-8300. The district's contractor, Clarke Environment, also allows area residents to sign up online to get word of future anti-mosquito operations.

Read more:

• Lake County's First West Nile-Positive Mosquitoes Of 2019 Found In Highland Park
• First Mosquitoes With West Nile Virus Found On North Shore