Greater than 10 inches of rain from mid-April to present has produced considerable nuisance floodwater mosquitoes (Aedes vexans). Currently, this species of mosquito has not been implicated in the transmission of West Nile Virus to humans. Current floodwater mosquito sites are being treated with 30-Day Altosid pellets. Crews will be treating any new or remaining water sites after 30 days with the microbial insecticides Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or Bacillus sphaericus in conjunction with our insecticide rotation schedule to avoid any potential resistance problems.

Crews continue to treat both floodwater and standing water areas throughout the District. Catch basins are also being treated (both street and backyard basins). Nearly one third of all the backyard basins reported to us from Villages in the District have been treated. All basins are treated with 150-Day Altosid insect growth regulator (a.k.a. methoprene). The target date for the completion of all catch basin treatments is by the end of June. Residents that have backyard catch basins that did not receive one of our door hanger treatment notices should call our district for treatment.

ADULTICIDING (Night Spraying Operation):

Low evening temperatures have delayed Adulticiding operations. We are anticipating more favorable (³ 60° & light winds) weather conditions before the end of this week. Initially targeted areas based on mosquito surveillance trap counts will be Wheeling, Barrington and Maine Townships and then Northbrook, Hanover, Palatine, Elk Grove, and Schaumburg. All planned spraying operations are weather dependent. Nightly spraying schedules can be viewed at the following website: http://www.nwmadil.com/District_map1.html. Alternately, a recorded phone message describing our scheduled nighttime spray program can be reached at (847) 537-2306 and pressing “5” on your telephone keypad. More information regarding our Adulticiding program may be viewed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/Night Spray info1.html

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

NWMAD has tested 111 batches of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and St. Louis encephalitis. Collections have been from throughout the NWMAD. All tests have been negative for virus. Mosquito pools testing positive in the District will be posted at the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm

The NWMAD dead bird/animal reporting website http://www.nwmadil.com/Dead Birds.html has recorded over 110 dead birds thus far in 2003. A current map of this dead bird distribution can be viewed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/DeadBirds2003.jpg. Please be advised these dead birds have not been tested for WNV and we do not know for certain the cause of mortality. This information is but one component used in conjunction with our mosquito and virus surveillance as well as human and equine information provided by Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health. I would encourage all Villages to utilize the above website to report dead birds and or other animals.

DEAD BIRD SURVIELLANCE INFORMATION:

The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported WNV infected birds from Henderson and Kankakee counties. There have been no horse or human cases reported. More/current information about WNV can be found on the state’s website www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or by calling 217-782-5830.

IDPH WNV HOTLINE

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a West Nile virus (WNV) hotline in the Division of Environmental Health. Graduate students have been trained to respond to the public when calls are received regarding WNV. The students will also enter surveillance data into a database and respond to email inquiries. The hotline number is 866/369-9710. The hours of operation will be from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, but those hours may change if human cases are reported and the volume of calls increase.

Voicemail will be activated in the evenings and on weekends and calls will be returned as soon as possible. The number will be printed on all WNV educational materials printed after this date.

REDUCING THE RISK OF MOSQUITO BITES:

Avoid outdoor activity if possible from dusk to dawn when the mosquitoes bite the most. If you do go out wear light colored protective clothing and insect repellent (always read label warnings and directions). Make sure mosquitoes do not enter homes through unscreened or broken doors or windows. Residents are encouraged not to create mosquito harborage areas. Make sure tall grassy areas are trimmed and other vegetation is cut back. If plants must be watered do so in the morning so the vegetation and soil has a chance to dry making it less attractive to mosquitoes. Empty any containers holding stagnating water like tire casings, birdbaths, flower pots and barrels that may produce mosquitoes. Un-maintained swimming pools may produce thousands of mosquitoes. Call the District to report stagnant water areas that remain wet for more than 7 days.

Mike Szyska

Director