NORTHWEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

147 W. Hintz Rd.

Wheeling, IL. 60090

Phone: (847) 537-2306

Fax: (847) 537-2583

www.nwmadil.com

 

Mosquito Update

September 2, 2005

 

 

WEST NILE VIRUS HUMAN CASES

Currently, 82 human cases have been confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health in Illinois.  Approximately 16 cases have been confirmed by IDPH in the NWMAD territory.    Estimates of infected mosquitoes via the Illinois Natural History Survey based on PCR results indicate that up to 1 out of 20 mosquitoes may be infected.   It is likely that more human cases will be reported throughout the month of September.  The confirmation process for WNV human cases may take 2-4 weeks before the cases are released to the news media. 

 

It is recommended that Cities, Villages and other municipalities STRONGLY recommend that residents limit their outdoor evening activities and wear appropriate insect repellents if out during mosquito biting times and throughout the month of September!

 

 

PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:

NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL

Nuisance mosquito (Aedes vexans) numbers are currently very low averaging in the single digits in our New Jersey light traps.  However, we have received reports of daytime biting nuisance mosquitoes from around our District borders in Elk Grove Village and the Elgin areas.  It is likely that a minor nuisance hatch occurred from rains on the 12th of August.  More significant rains around the 19th will possibly produce a below average, but noticeable nuisance mosquito hatch around the Labor Day holiday.  Aedes vexans has been found infected with WNV in previous years but still has not been incriminated as a competent vector of the virus to humans.

 

DIRECTOR’S NOTE:

 As in the 2002 outbreak, it is likely that the increased presence of nuisance mosquitoes will raise the Public’s awareness of mosquitoes and WNV.  Because the nuisance mosquito arrival will be around the Labor Day holiday and ONGOING  human WNV case reporting, County agencies, Cities, Villages, health departments and other municipalities may wish to prepare for increased Public inquiries!  Please refer to our website (http://www.nwmadil.com) for mosquito avoidance and preventative recommendations to help inform your residents to protect themselves.

 

Crews continue to treat areas producing nuisance mosquitoes with methoprene pellets. 

 

CULEX MOSQUITOES

Culex mosquito numbers have decreased over the last couple weeks.  Residents are still strongly advised to inspect & eliminate all stagnant water areas from their properties that may produce these mosquitoes every week through the months of July-September.  Any container that holds water and organic debris for greater than 7 days can produce many of these mosquitoes. 

 

Stagnant water mosquito producing sites (detention/retention ponds, ditches, building foundations & container sources) will be treated with the microbial insecticide Bacillus sphaericus and the insect growth regulator methoprene (a.k.a. Altosid).  NWMAD has completed a 2nd treatment of catch basins with Altosid Ingots (methoprene). 

 

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

NWMAD has tested (VecTest & PCR) 818 batches of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus, St. Louis and Eastern Equine encephalitis.  Three hundred thirty one infected batches of mosquitoes have been detected thus far.  This infection rate is ahead of the 2002 WNV outbreak season!  Currently VecTest surveillance for WNV is showning a decrease in infected batches of Culex mosquitoes throughout the District.  Samples will be shipped out for confirmatory testing by Illinois Natural History RT-PCR testing and additional Culex collections and testing follow-ups will be performed.

 

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports:  37 counties with mosquitoes or birds testing positive for WNV.   Eighty two human cases have been reported in Illinois.

 

Mosquito batches testing positive in the District are posted at the NWMAD website http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST1.htm.

 

ADULTICIDING (Night Spraying Operation):

All Townships within the NWMAD territory have been sprayed multiple times based on the detection of WNV infected mosquitoes.  To date Townships and/or parts of Townships have been sprayed on the following dates based on infected mosquito surveillance and Culex mosquito abundance:

 

Barrington Township: 7/13, 8/10, 8/17

Elk Grove Township: 7/11, 7/13, 7/22, 7/28, 7/29, 8/4, 8/9, 8/10, 8/15, 8/17, 8/29, 8/31

Hanover Township:  7/28, 8/9, 8/16, 8/31

Maine Township:  7/11, 7/19, 7/29, 8/5, 8/16, 8/17, 8/24, 8/29

Western NWMAD portion of Village of Northbrook: 7/11, 7/19, 7/28, 8/15, 8/17, 8/25

Palatine Township:  7/11, 7/13, 7/19, 7/29, 7/29, 8/5, 8/10, 8/16, 8/29, 8/31

Schaumburg Township:  7/22, 7/28, 8/4, 8/10, 8/15, 8/24, 8/25, 8/29, 8/31

Wheeling Township: 7/11, 7/13, 7/19, 7/22, 7/28, 8/4, 8/9, 8/10, 8/15, 8/16, 8/24, 8/25, 8/29, 8/31

 

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

 

DEAD BIRD SURVIELLANCE INFORMATION:

NWMAD has received 427 dead bird reports from Cities, Villages and the Public. 

 

Cities, villages and the public are encouraged to report dead birds to our District’s Dead Bird/Animal reporting web page, which can be accessed at www.nwmadil.com.  Knowing this information allows our District to better focus our control efforts.  

 

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.  Additional mosquito avoidance/control practices may be found at the District’s website: www.nwmadil.com.

 

Mike Szyska   

Director           

 

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES