Clinton County Health Department Reports First Positive Mosquito Pool for West Nile Virus
Carlyle, Illinois – The Clinton County Health Department has identified a mosquito pool(s) that tested positive for West Nile virus in the Breese and Hoffman area. The mosquito pool was collected and tested on July 16, 2026 as part of the Health Department’s ongoing mosquito surveillance program.
The Clinton County Health Department conducts weekly mosquito surveillance throughout the county, weather permitting. Female mosquitoes are collected using specialized traps placed in and around populated areas. The mosquitoes are then tested for the presence of West Nile virus to help monitor virus activity and provide early warning to the public.
Although a positive mosquito pool indicates that West Nile virus is present in the area, it does not mean that everyone bitten by a mosquito will become ill. Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, individuals 50 years of age and older, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of developing serious illness.
Mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus typically increase during July, August, and September, making it especially important for residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
Fight the Bite – Practice the Three R’s
Reduce
– Eliminate standing water around your home each week, including birdbaths, flowerpots, buckets, old tires, gutters, children’s toys, and other containers that collect water.
– Keep doors and windows in good repair with tight-fitting screens.
Repel
– Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and light-colored clothing when outdoors, especially from dusk until dawn.
– Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, following all label directions.
– Adults should apply insect repellent to young children. Consult your healthcare provider before using repellents on infants.
Report
– Report areas of standing water that remain for more than one week, such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, or other locations where mosquitoes may breed. Public agencies may be able to treat these areas with larvicide to reduce mosquito populations.
About West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms generally appear 3 to 14 days after being bitten. Most infected individuals never become ill, while others may develop fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, rash, or swollen lymph nodes. In rare cases, severe disease affecting the brain or nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis, can occur.
For more information about West Nile virus or mosquito prevention, contact the Clinton County Health Department, 991 Franklin Street, Carlyle, Illinois, at 618-594-2723.