MENARD COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Menard County is the latest in Illinois to register a batch of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The Menard County Sheriff’s Office, at the request of the Sangamon/Menard County Public Health Department, shared the news on Facebook Monday afternoon. Officials said at least two batches of mosquitoes tested positive, and they were caught in Petersburg and Athens.

“When bitten by an infected mosquito, most people do not get ill, although some people may develop symptoms that are mild,” Officials said. “Those include fever, headache, rash and body aches three to 15 days after infection. More severe symptoms can result in high fever, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness and inflammation of the brain, which could lead to permanent neurological damage or death.”

People are encouraged to take the following measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes:

• Drain standing water around homes
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing 10% to 50% DEET (for adults) and 20% to 25% DEET (for children)
• Limit time outdoors during both dusk and dawn
• Make certain that all screens are in good repair and tight-fitting.

So far in 2025, 68 of Illinois’ 102 counties have recorded a batch of mosquitoes, a bird, a horse or a person that tested positive for West Nile Virus. 79 cases have been reported in people — the vast majority in Cook County and surrounding counties — and one person has died.

For more information on West Nile Virus surveillance in Illinois, click here.