Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Tazewell County.
The Tazewell County Health Department Friday confirmed a batch of mosquitoes, found in Creve Coeur this month, have tested positive for the virus.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.
Common symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches.
Tazewell County health officials encourage citizens to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites including the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
Reduce- 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.
Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
Repel- 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- report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.
For more information from the Tazewell County Health Department, click HERE.
