Second Mosquito Batch Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

A second batch of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus, this time in Fox River Grove, McHenry County Health Department officials said.

Last week, a mosquito batch tested positive in Woodstock.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has also seen an increase in reported human cases from 2 to 4, according to a statement from the health department.

Locally, MCDH has tested 119 mosquito pools as of this week, however, all other pools tested negative for the virus.

Last year, McHenry County reported a single human case of West Nile.

The health department will continue to collect and test mosquito pools through the remainder of the season, typically mid-October.  The health department will accept a limited number of birds for testing. 

The risk of West Nile remains until the first hard frost.

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible. People age 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. 

Go to the McHenry County Health Department website for more information.