PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. – The first dead bird this year in Peoria County has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
That’s according to the Peoria City/County Health Department, who does not say when or where the bird was detected, but does say mosquitoes get the virus from birds, so the virus is circulating in the area.
They encourage you to limit your exposure by using mosquito repellent containing DEET, avoid being outside between dusk and dawn, wear long sleeves and long pants when possible, and eliminate standing water from your property.
A full list of tips from the Peoria City/County Health Department:
- REDUCE exposure – Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night. Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
- REPEL mosquitoes – When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
- REPORT mosquito breeding grounds – In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
