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Lake County, Ill. — A mosquito “pool” (batch of mosquitoes) sampled on June 16, 2026 in Buffalo Grove by the Village of Buffalo Grove’s trap has tested positive for West Nile virus. This mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of WNV presence in Lake County in 2026.
“Mosquitoes are more than just annoying pests, so it's important we take them seriously," said Christopher Hoff, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. "As mosquitoes become more common during the summer they can also transmit serious diseases. Make sure you and your family are taking precautions to have a safe and fun summer.”
Practice the “4 Ds of Defense” to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
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Drain: Drain standing water from items around your home, yard, and business.
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Defend: When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, or IR3535 and reapply according to label directions.
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Dawn and Dusk: Protect yourself all day and night, and wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
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Dress: Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes when outdoors to cover your skin.
Culex pipiens mosquitoes are the primary carriers of WNV. Residents can help prevent these mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating areas of stagnant water from their properties. Items like buckets, gutters and plant containers, kiddie pools, and any other items holding water around homes and businesses can become breeding sites.
The Lake County Health Department coordinates mosquito trapping results throughout Lake County. Mosquitoes are tested weekly for WNV. The program also monitors reports of dead birds (an early sign of the virus's presence) and investigates areas of stagnant water for mosquito larvae, specifically Culex mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of WNV in Illinois.
“Mosquitoes are especially prevalent during the summer months,” said Alana Bartolai, Ecological Services Program Coordinator at the Health Department. "From early summer to fall, we set traps around Lake County and monitor weekly for this public health threat.”
In 2025, 169 out of 641 batches of mosquitoes (26.4%) tested positive for WNV. Additionally, 12 human WNV cases were reported in Lake County in 2025, the highest annual total in the past decade. Since 2002, there have been 98 confirmed human cases of WNV in Lake County, as well as five confirmed deaths.
Most people infected with WNV have no symptoms of illness. However, some may become ill usually 3 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle ache. In some individuals, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from WNV.
Find more prevention tips and information on WNV at www.FightTheBiteNow.com. Residents can also call the Health Department’s West Nile hotline to report areas of stagnant water, report locations of dead birds, and obtain more information on the signs and symptoms of WNV. The West Nile hotline number is (847) 377-8300.
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