West Nile Virus

North Shore Mosquito Abatement District

The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District is a separate taxing body in New Trier Township that works to reduce mosquito breeding sites, inspects and treats existing breeding sites, and spray to reduce the adult mosquito population in the area.

When the Village is notified of spraying times and locations by the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, the information is posted on the homepage of the website and an E-News is distributed to those who have signed up for General Village News email notifications.

If you have questions about the frequency of mosquito treatment in Wilmette, contact the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District at 847-446-9434.

West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East, and in 1999 was first reported in the United States. Symptoms become noticable 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Most people infected with the WNV experience few if any symptoms and recover completely after a few days. Mild symptoms include a fever, headache, body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph glands. Although rare, some people experience severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) and the symptoms include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
Persons over about 55 or with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to develop severe illness. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.

Mosquitoes become infected with the WNV when they feed on infected birds and can then transmit the virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The WNV is NOT transmitted from person-to-person. Other possible transmission routes of the virus are being studied. In areas where the virus is circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected. Even if the mosquito is infected there is a very low chance that people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from one mosquito bite are extremely small.

Personal Protection Against Mosquitoes

Most mosquitoes bite at dusk or at night, but some kinds will bite during the day. Almost all mosquitoes will try to bite you if you enter an area where they are nesting. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, follow these tips:
  • When possible, avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite (especially during dusk and dawn).
  • Wear shoes, socks, and light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Make sure door and window screens fit tightly, and repair any holes.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors and around small babies for protection at all times.
  • Use mosquito repellents with about 30% DEET (about 10% DEET for children age 2-12). Adults should supervise repellent use on children. Do not use any repellents on children under 2 years of age without consulting your doctor. Apply them to clothes whenever possible and apply sparingly to skin if the label permits. Wash repellent off daily. Do not apply over cuts or irritated skin or near the eyes, lips or nose.
  • Remove standing water from around your house, such as in buckets and wading pools since some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
  • Report mosquito-breeding sites to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District at 847-446-9434.
  • Do not rely on insect light electrocuters (“bug zappers”). They do little to reduce biting mosquitoes in an area.
If a dead bird is found on your property, use rubber gloves to pick up the bird or use a plastic bag, double bag the bird, and then discard the bird in the trash.
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