West Nile Virus

The Stephenson County Health Department has concluded its trapping and testing of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus for the year. Six mosquito traps were set out in various locations around the county from June 2nd through September 19th. A total of 170 mosquito batches were tested for West Nile Virus, with all 170 having a negative result. Likewise, a total of 18 birds were tested for West Nile Virus, with no positive results. No human cases have been reported in Stephenson County.

West Nile activity throughout the State of Illinois has been down from 2007. As of September 17th, 2008, Illinois has reported six human cases of West Nile Virus, with 20 counties having a positive human, bird, mosquito batch, and/or horse. (For the year 2007, Illinois reported having 101 human cases, with 48 counties having a positive human, bird, mosquito batch and/or horse.) Typically, West Nile Virus thrives under hot, dry weather conditions. It seems that since Stephenson County received ample rainfall and did not suffer extremely high temperatures, the virus did not take hold in the county during the summer of 2008.