Peoria County Mosquitoes Testing Postive For West Nile

PEORIA -- West Nile cases has hit a high nation wide. The Peoria County Health Department says the virus is active amongst mosquitoes in our area.

Twenty mosquitoes have tested positive this year.

Last year, Peoria County had none.

Environmental Health Director Wil Hayes said symptoms for a mild case can be flu-like, so it's possible people have had it but not seen a doctor.

He said right now is ideal weather for these mosquitoes, so it's necessary to protect yourself. "The only way you're going to avoid is not getting bit by mosquitoes. The best thing you can do is not be outdoors at dusk, dawn, and those times when the mosquitoes are most active if you do have to be outdoors, wear light-weight, loose fitting clothes, long sleeves, long pants."

Hayes said to also make sure you are taking care of your property, try to drain any stagnet water where mosquitoes like to breed.