Mosquitos which tested positive for West Nile Virus were found recently near the Whiteside County Fairgrounds in Morrison.
The virus was first detected in the county in July, and it’s also been found in Carroll and Ogle Counties. Whiteside County Health Department Public Health Administrator Beth Fiorini said the last cases usually show up in late August, making this a highly unusual case.
“It’s been a really, really dry season," she said. "I don’t know if that’s why. We haven’t had rain in Whiteside County for weeks.”
Fiorini isn’t sure exactly why the mosquitos are still around, but she advised residents to take precautions.
“We did still have one death in the last couple weeks in Illinois from West Nile," she said. West Nile can still be a dangerous disease, so you want to just protect yourself, do anything you can.”
These include using repellents with DEET, clearing stagnant water, and taking other measures to avoid mosquito bites.