Mosquitoes Test Positive in Oak Park for West Nile Virus

Published on June 17, 2026

The Oak Park Health Department has confirmed the first mosquito batches to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in the community this year.

The WNV‑positive mosquito pools were collected in south Oak Park on June 10. With the first detections of the season, health officials are reminding residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and reduce the risk of illness.

At this time, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Cook County in 2026. However, the presence of WNV‑positive mosquito pools indicates an increased risk of transmission to humans.

Residents are encouraged to follow the “3 R’s” of mosquito prevention:

• Reduce mosquito breeding sites by eliminating standing water around homes—such as in buckets, gutters, planters, bird baths, and tarps.
• Repel mosquitoes by using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
• Report stagnant water or West Nile virus concerns to healthinspector@oak-park.us.

For more information on West Nile virus prevention and surveillance, contact the Oak Park Health Department at healthinspector@oak-park.us or visit www.oak-park.us/fightthebite.

About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.