Residents urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten.
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OGLE COUNTY – The Ogle County Health Department has confirmed the first positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus reported in Ogle County for 2018.
A pool of mosquitoes found in Monroe Center tested positive for West Nile virus. With this being the first positive sample, maintaining vigilance to prevent exposure is extremely important.
Monitoring for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests for mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of Culex mosquitoes, commonly called a house mosquito, which has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.