Second bird in McLean County tests positive for West Nile

Posted on October 6, 2020
As of Tuesday, McLean County is one of 22 counties in Illinois with confirmed West Nile activity. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A second bird in McLean County has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the health department.

The bird was collected in the 61753 zip code area, which is near Lexington. The first bird to test positive for West Nile was collected in the 61704 zip code area east of Bloomington in mid-September.

Residents are again being advised to limit time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn and to take precautionary measures to limit exposure to mosquitoes. Some tips to reduce exposure include wear protective clothing like long pants and long-sleeved shirts, use insect repellent and report dead birds and areas of stagnant water.

As of Tuesday, McLean County is one of 22 counties in Illinois with confirmed West Nile activity. In Illinois there have been 2,277 positive mosquito pool samples, seven positive birds, and 24 human cases.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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