Fight the bite this West Nile season

Published on June 25, 2025

As temperatures rise, so does the threat of the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. In 2024, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 69 human cases, 19 of which were in Cook County, and 13 deaths.

The Oak Park Public Health Department works with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District to keep tabs on the virus through regular testing of mosquitoes in the area.

Take precautions

Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves and pants, limiting time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and using insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.

Residents also are urged to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites by cleaning roof gutters, storing containers upside down, emptying birdbaths every few days and any other precautions to avoid standing water on their property.

Make sure to repair torn window screens, which should be tight-fitting and without gaps, to avoid mosquitos getting inside.

For more information from the Oak Park Publlic Health Department, call 708.358.5480, visit www.oak-park.us/fightthebite or email healthinspector@oak-park.us.

Abatement efforts

The Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District treats 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 by request and pick up old vehicle tires.

Call 708.447.1765 or visit www.desplainesvalleymad.com for more information.

Spraying notification

Residents who wish to be notified when the Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District has scheduled spraying for adult mosquitoes can sign up at www.oak-park.us/notifyme. Registrants will be notified by an automated telephone system, email or text message as soon as possible following a decision to spray in Oak Park. Individuals without computer access may call 708.358.5480 to leave their phone number for telephone notification only. Spraying is only conducted in response to elevated levels of West Nile Virus in an area. Visit www.desplainesvalleymad.com for information about spraying.