(OLNEY/NEWTON) It’s been announced that a positive test in mosquitoes for the West Nile virus has now been confirmed by the Fayette County Health Department in Vandalia. Along with Jasper and Clay Counties, this now brings the number of Illinois counties with positive testing to 52 with 9 human cases so far, but no deaths to date. The only downstate human cases are in Wayne and Madison Counties. While the West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, folks are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. Everyone should practice the three R’s while in the outdoors : Reduce exposure to mosquitoes and dispose of containers outside that hold water : Repel mosquitoes by wearing insect repellant : and Report areas where water sits for more than a week. Learn more on the dph.illinois.gov website.
