The Illinois Department of Public Health says now is the time to start taking precautions against the West Nile virus. West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne illness in Illinois. And, Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold says surveillance is underway.
Arnold says the best way to reduce the risk of West Nile is to eliminate standing pools of water around your home where mosquitos can breed and wearing insect repellant with Deet, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.