(WAND) — The Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) is highlighting the importance of mosquito safety this summer as part of National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.
IDPH says West Nile Virus, a disease carried and transmitted by mosquitos, has already been confirmed in 19 Illinois counties this year, including Christian county.
No human cases have been confirmed yet, but there were 69 confirmed cases and 13 deaths related to the virus last year. That was the highest number since 2018, when 17 deaths were recorded.
IDPH says a bite from a mosquito infected with the virus can cause serious illness, but there are ways to lower your chances of being bit.
"The best way to 'Fight the Bite' is to practice the 'Three R's,'" said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "Reduce the opportunity for mosquitos to enter your home, repel mosquitos by wearing insect repellent outdoors and report standing water in your community where mosquitos can breed."
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