City of West Chicago, Illinois

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West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District: 2024 Season Update

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Mosquito on Leaf

The West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District has provided the following information for the upcoming 2024 mosquito season.

West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District: 2024 Mosquito Season Update

Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has rapidly spread across the United States causing 58,682 human cases, including over 2,700 fatalities, during the past 24 years.  Because WNV is so widespread in bird and mosquito populations, the virus has become well established as an annual mosquito-borne disease threat.  In 2023, there were 2,406 human cases of WNV across the United States reported by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).  The following are the top ten states that recorded the most WNV cases in 2023 in descending order: CO-CA-NE-IL-SD-TX-AZ-NM-KS-ND.  These 10 states accounted for 72% of the 2023 human case count.

In 2023, the State of Illinois Department of Public Health reported a resurgence of WNV human cases to 113 human including 5 fatalities, compared to 33 in 2022, 62 in 2021, and 29 in 2020.

In 2023, DuPage County recorded 16 human WNV cases, compared to 4 in 2022, 12 in 2021, and 4 in 2020.  Intensive mosquito population surveillance is performed by the State of Illinois Department of Health, DuPage County Health Department, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. (Clarke).  Overall, in 2023, surveillance confirmed 170 adult mosquito samples positive for WNV within DuPage County.  This research continues to demonstrate the ongoing risk for significant WNV activity within DuPage County.  It provides an invaluable database and an early warning system for operational response planning for public health protection.

Clarke will maintain close contact with the Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and the DuPage County Health Department regarding West Nile virus data and trends during the 2024 season.

WNV symptoms are initially similar to the flu, with muscle weakness and disorientation.  Though the majority of those infected will have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, in some individuals, WNV can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and in severe cases, paralysis, coma or death.  The disease is most serious – even fatal – in those with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) Update

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and sexual transmission.  Aedes aegypti is a tropical mosquito that does not occur in northern Illinois, so the risk of local transmission is small.  While ZIKV symptoms are generally mild in adults (fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis), pregnant women who contract ZIKV can pass the virus to their unborn children, increasing the risks of serious birth defects like microcephaly.  When ZIKV debuted in the U.S., more than 5,100 travel-related cases of ZIKV were confirmed nationwide, including 224 locally transmitted cases in areas of south Florida in 2016.  Since that time, cases have steadily decreased. The number of traveler contracted ZIKV cases has dwindled from 28 in 2019, 4 in 2020 and 2 in 2021.  No traveler cases were reported to the CDC in 2023.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne disease primarily vectored by Culiseta melanura which lives in freshwater hardwood swamps, generally on the Atlantic coast and around the Great Lakes.  The disease is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases; one in three patients diagnosed will die from EEE.

While the U.S. averages about seven (7) cases of EEE each year, seven (7) were human cases were reported to CDC in 2023, one (1) in 2022, five (5) in 2021, thirteen (13) in 2020, compared to 38 in 2019.  Past historical hotspot states for outbreaks have been Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.  While Illinois does not have a recent history of EEE cases, the proximity of the cases in both Indiana and Michigan and historic cases in Wisconsin call for continued vigilance.

West Chicago M.A.D. Program Overview

The City of West Chicago is within the boundary of the twenty-seven (27) square mile, West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District (WCMAD), a separate governmental entity founded over 60 years ago under the Illinois Mosquito Abatement District Act (70 ILCS/1005).  The objectives of the WCMAD program are to control nuisance mosquitoes, reduce the potential of mosquito-borne disease transmission, and provide a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for district residents.  The primary targets of the program are the floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans) – the dominant nuisance species, and the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens) – the potential disease carrier.

Under the authority of the Illinois Mosquito Abatement District, field technicians perform mosquito control activities on public and private properties for the control of mosquitoes and protection of public health.

Environmentally sensitive and effective mosquito control is accomplished within the WCMAD utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach that includes the following components:  adult mosquito population surveillance, larval site monitoring, biological control, and the careful and strategic use of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency labeled and registered pesticide products.

In WCMAD’s IPM approach, potential and historical larval sites are frequently inspected; biological control agents (fish, insect growth regulators, and Bacillus bacteria byproducts) are utilized whenever possible.  The adult mosquito population is scientifically monitored; pesticides are strategically applied only when necessary.  The key is to concentrate on larval control within the district boundary, scientifically assess the adult population, and perform adulticiding only on an as needed basis.

What Can Residents Do?

According to Clarke, our partner in mosquito control, individuals can take the following steps to protect themselves against infection and assist in the fight against West Nile Virus:

  • If outdoors when mosquitoes are active, dress in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, long pants and socks when outdoors during prime mosquito hours. Apply mosquito repellent with DEET to clothing and exposed skin in accordance with label directions.
  • Neglected swimming pools can be ideal sources for larval development to the mosquito species that transmits WNV and a public health hazard. Residents should report neglected pools to Clarke on the MOSQUITO HOTLINE @ 1-800-942-2555, email: wcmad@clarke.com, or Clarke portal: clarkeportal.com.  Technicians would be dispatched to inspect and treat the pool, as necessary to eliminate the risk.
  • Discard any outdoor container that might hold water or empty water from wading pools and birdbaths once a week. Keep roof gutters clear for drainage.
  • Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
  • Do not dump grass clippings into low lying areas that collect water after rainfalls to prevent mosquito larvae development. The use of mulching lawnmowers is encouraged to eliminate grass clipping disposal.
  • Report dead birds on your property to the DuPage County Health Department @ 630-682-7400. Dead birds (crows, blue jays and raptors) can be the first indicators of the presence of West Nile Virus in the area.

For the latest information on WNV, consult the Illinois Department of Health website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov or the DuPage County Health Department website at http://www.dupagehealth.org .

WCMAD Citizen Contact with Clarke

WCMAD citizens can contact Clarke in the following ways to register for notification of the District-wide spray schedule; report standing water, neglected swimming pools, and excessive mosquito annoyance conditions; or obtain program & insecticide information: