Morris, IL – The Grundy County Health Department confirmed the first mosquito batches testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Illinois this year were collected in the Village of Channahon.
According to the health department’s news release, mosquitoes collected on May 19 tested positive for WNV, with lab results confirmed Wednesday. These are the first documented WNV-positive mosquito samples reported in Grundy County for the 2025 season.
In response, local health officials are urging residents to take preventive action to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends the “Three R’s” of mosquito protection: Reduce, Repel, and Report.
To reduce exposure, residents are advised to stay indoors between dusk and dawn, ensure window screens are intact, and remove standing water around homes, including from flowerpots, birdbaths, and tires.
To repel mosquitoes, residents should wear protective clothing and apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 as directed. Parents are encouraged to consult a physician before applying repellents to children.
To report potential mosquito breeding areas, residents should notify local mosquito control agencies about standing water in ditches, abandoned properties, or other stagnant sources.
No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Grundy County as of Friday. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause serious illness in rare cases, particularly in the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
More information on WNV prevention is available at www.grundyhealth.com.
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