SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The first bird and mosquito batches of the year have tested positive for West Nile virus in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said Tuesday that the Chicago Department of Public Health collected a crow May 16 that tested positive. State and DuPage County Health Department workers collected positive mosquito samples on May 17. The mosquitoes were from Lemont and Norridge in Cook County, and Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Lisle, Westmont and Woodridge in DuPage County.
Illinois Public Health Director LaMar Hasbrouck says the positive samples are a good reminder to be cautious heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Last year the first West Nile virus positive results were two birds collected on June 8 in LaSalle County.
------
Online: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
