Mosquito borne illness has been a newsworthy topic this week. What you need to know about West Nile virus in Macon County:
-Yes, West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes trapped within the district boundaries of the MMAD as reported on June 27th.
-To date, 19 samples have tested positive out of 399 total tests conducted. These have come from 10 trap locations within our district. While some trap locations have tested positive at one time or another throughout the season, it does not mean that the others do not have mosquitoes that could carry WNV in those locations. Rather, we have not yet caught infected mosquitoes in those traps.
-18 human cases of WNV have been confirmed in Illinois this year, with one resulting in the death of an individual in their 80s. (young children and seniors are most at risk) Macon County has not reported a positive human case in 2024. There were 2 reported in 2023. You can stay up to date with WNV surveillance through the IDPH surveillance website at: dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/west-nile-virus/surveillance
-Importantly, the presence of WNV alone is not cause for our District to use wide-area ULV Adulticide (adult insecticide) "spray" sessions in residential neighborhoods. We rely on a robust surveillance program to help guide these decisions and to date have not met thresholds that would trigger this kind of intervention. We monitor this closely and stand behind our scientific methodologies.
* If a private resident would like their property treated or "sprayed" there are private companies that do that work- MMAD does not spray yards. Keep in mind that if your neighbor is breeding mosquitoes a barrier insecticide treatment will not have a lasting effect.
-Mosquito borne viruses are of public health concern. Like many public health initiatives, there are multiple modes of action we can take collectively to lower both mosquito production and possible infection:
1. REDUCING mosquito habitats is the single most effective method of reducing mosquito populations in any neighborhood. What is a mosquito habitat? Any body of standing water could lead to mosquito production. What we see most often are discarded tires, unkept swimming pools, bird baths left uncared for, ornamental ponds without a pump or fountain, trash barrels without a lid, children's toys, "kiddie pools", sandboxes, wheelbarrows etc. If it can hold water, it can produce a mosquito. A single unkept, standard sized above ground pool can produce MILLIONS of mosquitoes!
2. REPELL mosquitoes using an approved insect repellent. There are many brands to choose from, but most use active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, permethrin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Read labels and choose which is best for your family. Fragrances and other excuses shouldn't keep anyone from wearing insect repellent.
3. REPORT standing water. If you see standing water in your neighborhood, call the District and we can send a technician out to inspect the area and make treatment where necessary.
Stay safe and enjoy your holiday weekend!!
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August 30th, 1:11 pm
If you have seen mosquitoes flying around during the day, chances are they are Aedes albopictus or the Asian Tiger mosquito. Easily recognizable by their black and white colors, these daytime active mosquitoes are aggressive human biters who prefer to lay their eggs in containers. Our urban residential neighborhoods provide the ideal habitat, especially when man-made containers go unchecked. Habitat reduction can make a considerable difference in lowering the population of these mosquitoes.
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August 6th, 10:46 am
After recent rains we have received calls about adult mosquitoes in neighborhoods, specifically whether we could "spray" in those areas. The MMAD follows an Integrative Mosquito Managment (IMM) approach, where mosquito biology, life cycle and knowledge of viruses helps guide our treatment decisions.
IMM + surveillance data and accompanying minimum thresholds (population densities/infection rate) dictate the use of an "adulticide" (insecticide used to kill adult mosquitoes) using an Ultra Low Volume (ULV) "fogger"/"sprayer". Only when those thresholds are met do we "spray" a neighborhood.
We take the application of insecticides seriously and understand that our first priority is public safety and virus prevention. We also know that mosquitoes can be a nuisance and can be intolerable at times. The best thing a resident can do is be aware of standing water sources in their own backyard and remove them after a rain event to limit mosquito habitats. When adult mosquitoes are present during outdoor activity, an insect repellent should be used.
The MMAD will continue to monitor the situation and will use all the tools at our disposal when and where necessary.
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August 6th, 9:37 am
A few days of rain this week, following several inches about a week ago, mean we will likely see an uptick in mosquito populations over the next 7-10 days.
What can you do?
-Drain any standing water on your property or report standing water to our office for inspection
-Dress wearing long sleeves and pants outside when temperatures permit
-Defend yourself with insect repellent when outdoors
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August 1st, 2:02 pm
After recent rains we sometimes have to get the big machines out to knock down mosquito larva development. The residents of the West End will appreciate these efforts.
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July 19th, 10:27 am
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