Ford County, IL – The Ford County Public Health Department (FCPHD) has confirmed the first mosquito in the county to test positive for West Nile virus this year. The positive test was recorded on August 8, 2024, from a mosquito batch collected in Piper City, Illinois. So far, no human cases of the virus have been reported in Ford County.
According to the FCPHD, the best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce mosquito populations around your home and take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. They recommend practicing the “Three R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
To reduce exposure, residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, particularly at dawn and dusk. Keeping doors and windows tightly shut and eliminating standing water around the home are essential steps.
