It may be the heart of mosquito season, but local and state health departments are indicating activity's been light, so far, in terms of the presence of West Nile Virus, a mosquito-carried disease that can particularly effect young children and the elderly.

But there's still plenty of reason to be concerned, according to Wabash County Health Department R.N. Lois Arnold, particularly since the summer's been especially hot and dry.

"Many people think when there's not enough rain - when it's hot and dry - the risk is lower," Arnold told the Register. "That's not so."

Actually, citizens are more at risk during drought-like conditions, according to Arnold, because the carrier of West Nile, the Culex, or house mosquito, breeds in stagnant water.

Floodwater mosquitoes are rarely carriers of the disease.

Gibson County, Ind., residents learned this week that a mosquito sampling revealed one vial tested positive for West Nile Virus. The Princeton Daily Clarion reported some 1,600 mosquitoes were caught in the South Gibson area and, of 32 vials, one tested positive.

It's been more quiet in Wabash County.

"So far we haven't had any (reports)" Arnold said, when asked if any positive cases have been reported to the health department. "And I hope we don't."

A story found on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Web site indicates Cook County health officials tested a crow found in Des Plaines, and found it positive for the disease earlier this month. Meanwhile, "positive mosquito pools," were located in Des Plaines, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Northbrook, Palatine, Wheeling, Palos Park and Justice, according to the report.

An IDPH memo dated July 22 warns, "There is evidence to suggest that Illinois residents may be at increased risk of developing West Nile virus disease this summer due to the recent hot weather through the State."

The memo indicates the house mosquito "breeds prolifically in small pools of stagnant water like roadside ditches and catch basins (storm drains) found along streets and sometimes in backyards."

Arnold reminds residents that we still have a ways to go before we stop worrying about West Nile for the season.

"It'll take a good frost to get rid of the mosquitoes," she said.

While many people infected with West Nile Virus can display only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, the IDPH cautions "older persons are much more likely to develop meningitis or encephalitis than are young persons."

Actually, compared to a person under the age of 20, individuals 50-59 years old are 10 times more likely to develop "severe disease," and those over 80 are 43 times more likely, according to IDPH.

Outdoor tips

The Illinois Department of Public Health offers the following tips:

€ The prime time for house mosquito biting activity is just before dawn, and just before and after sunset. Avoid the places and times when mosquitoes bite.

€ When it's practical, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes. Wear clothes made of tightly-woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Light colored clothing is best.

€ Eliminate stagnant water in bird baths, ponds and flower pots, and get rid of old tires, buckets and other items that could contain water, allowing mosquitoes to breed.

€ Check clogged gutters that may not be draining properly.

€ Make sure septic tanks, ran barrels, cisterns, cesspools and trash cans are covered with a lid, or with 16-mesh screen.

€ Fill in holes or depressions outdoors; check the yard for low spots, where water collects.

€ Keep weeds and grass cut short.

Repellents

According to IDPH, products that have 10 to 30 percent DEET "generally provide two or more hours of protection from biting pests including mosquitoes and ticks." Products containing DEET are not recommended by the U.S. EPA for application on cuts, wounds or irritated skin.

"Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed their recommendations regarding repellents," the IDPH memo reads. "In addition to recommending DEET, CDC now also recommends products containing the active ingredient picaridin."

IDPH also offers a plant-based alternative to DEET and picaridin products - products containing lemon oil of eucalyptus. However, IDPH warns those products "typically do not last as long as those containing DEET or picaridin, and should not be applied to children under the age of 3."

Visit www.idph.state.il.us to learn more.