Virtually all of Evanston south of Central Street is scheduled for “targeted adult mosquito control operations” Monday Tuesday night, beginning at 8 p.m. (Weather conditions have forced a one-day delay, NSMAD announced Monday morning.)
This according to an announcement Friday from the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, a governmental agency that includes Evanston.
So far this season, Evanston has not reported any cases of West Nile Disease, which is spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes, but two batches of mosquitoes, collected on May 25 from NSMAD traps in the nearby suburbs ofGlenview and Morton Grove, tested positive for West Nile virus in the agency’s lab.
While the risk of being infected with West Nile virus is low at this time of year, the NSMAD recommends that residents take personal protection measures to minimize mosquito bites, including using insect repellent, wearing loose fitting clothing, and avoiding peak mosquito feeding times during the hours around dawn and dusk.
Residents are urged to examine their property and eliminate any items that can hold water, particularly smaller items that may be easily overlooked.
“Remember, if it can hold water, it can breed mosquitoes,” the agency warns.
Mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus, and if infected, a person can develop a fever or mild headache. More severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, disorientation, tremors, and convulsions.
In the most severe cases, paralysis or death may occur. Those who are 50 years of age or older are at the highest risk for serious illness. Symptoms typically occur within three to 14 days after the bite from an infected mosquito, according to information from the NSMAD.
If you should spot a dead bird in the area in which there is no obvious cause of death other than disease, you are urged to report it to the Cook County Department of Public Health.