Mosquitos in Massac County test positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes collected in Massac County have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The Southern Seven Health Department confirmed the positve test on Thursday from one batch of traps collected in Massac County. The traps were set in each of the health department’s counties in May, and weekly testing takes place through mid-October.

They said this is the first positive test of the year for the virus in the seven counties they serve. They said no human West Nile Virus cases have been reported so far this year in southernmost Illinois.

West Nile-positive mosquitoes have also been reported this year in Gallatin and Saline counties, and one human WNV case was detected in Wayne County east of Mt. Vernon.

The health department said mosquitos pick up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

The Southern Seven serves Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union counties.



(AP file photo)