Village gearing up for possible

West Nile Virus challenge

Anticipating the likely return of the West Nile Virus as the weather warms, the Village has renewed its community education and prevention program focusing on helping residents reduce the mosquito population and the chances of being bitten, steps experts say are the best ways to control the disease.

Information is being disseminated to the community through a variety of media, including the Village’s cable television station VOP-TV6 and website www.oak-park.us. Health Department staff also will participate in public forums and distribute a variety of education materials such as brochures and posters. Anyone interested in a presentation or the materials should call the West Nile Virus Hotline, 358.5694.

In addition to public education efforts, the Oak Park Department of Public Health will again be working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to keep tabs on the virus through testing dead crows and blue jays, the birds most likely affected by West Nile. Dead crows or blue jays should be reported by calling 358.5694. Only birds that have been dead less than 48 hours and appear to have died from a natural cause, and not such as being hit by a car, will be collected.

Meanwhile, the Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District will be treating all street catch basins with larvicide every seven to 10 days during the mosquito breeding season. The abatement district also will treat catch basins on private property on request, provide information on acquiring mosquito-larvae-eating gambusia fish for ornamental ponds and pick up old vehicle tires. Call 447.1765 for more information.

The chance of being infected with the West Nile Virus actually is very small. Less than 1 percent of mosquitoes are infected, and less than 1 percent of the people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will become severely ill. Persons 50 years old or older, and those with compromised immune systems, are most susceptible. Last year 60 cases were reported in Illinois, including four deaths.

For more information, call 358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us.

Prevention tips

• Eliminate places that might collect water where mosquitoes can lay eggs, such as weeds, tall grass and discarded tires. Even depressions in the ground or a discarded bottle cap can be a potential mosquito-breeding site.

• Regularly empty and clean containers such as birdbaths, wading pools and ceramic garden pots.

• Keep gutters clean. Clogged roof gutters can easily hold enough water to be a major mosquito larvae reservoir.

• Avoid the outdoors at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Or wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors at these times.

• Use mosquito repellents, being sure to follow manufacturer’s directions. Repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m toluamide) and Picaridin (KBR 3023) are considered the most effective.

Farmers’ Market begins 30th season

The Oak Park Farmers’ Market will be celebrating 30 years of offering high quality, locally grown produce when it opens for the season on Sat., June 4. The market is held in the Pilgrim Church parking lot just west of the intersection of Lake Street and Ridgeland Avenue and is open from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday from June through October. In addition to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried and cut flowers, bedding plants, honey and cheeses from Illinois and neighboring states, the market also offers warm donuts made on-site, juice and coffee, and live bluegrass music. New this year, two licensed vendors will be allowed to sell prepackaged frozen meat, poultry and fish. The Oak Park Farmers’ Market also features unique items for sale to help support market administration, including T-shirts, tank tops, coffee mugs and bags. For more information visit www.oak-park.us, email farmersmarket@oak-park.us or call 358.5780.