Louis S. Viverito

Mosquito abatement continues.

Stickney Public Health District Fights the Bite and West Nile Virus

BURBANK – Due to evidence of West Nile Virus activity in our area, the Stickney Public Health District will be spraying for mosquitoes throughout Stickney Township over the next 10-14 days. Exact times and locations cannot be provide due to fluctuating weather patterns. Remember to avoid outside activities during prime mosquito activity (early morning and early evening), remove standing water from your property, repair window screens when needed and use repellent.

The Stickney Public Health District is continuing its efforts against West Nile virus by spraying to kill adult mosquitoes throughout the Township. Spraying is contingent on appropriate weather conditions. Weather permitting, the spraying will begin at dusk and continue through the night, with licensed mosquito abatement technicians in trucks dispensing an ultra-low-volume spray.

The material being used to control the adult mosquitoes is ANVIL® 2+ 2 ULV. It is approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is used to control mosquitoes in outdoor residential and recreational areas.

Anvil is a proprietary Clarke adulticide that offers superior performance controlling mosquito populations in virtually all adult mosquito habitats. For more than a decade, the active ingredient in Anvil has proven effective on a wide range of adult mosquito control needs. This highly effective adulticide has been used across the country to combat nuisance, disease-bearing and natural disaster mosquito populations. Anvil is an excellent choice for residential areas and recreation areas where adult mosquitoes are present. The active ingredient in Anvil, d-Phenothrin, has proven to be extremely effective in killing mosquitoes worldwide for over 20 years. The active ingredients in Anvil have been carefully tested and are registered for ground application in outdoor residential areas.

Each year, SPHD conducts a comprehensive West Nile virus surveillance, prevention and control program. In addition to spraying, SPHD also releases larvicide in catch basins, which helps limit the number of mosquitoes that can carry the virus. SPHD regularly conducts testing on mosquitoes caught in traps throughout the Township. Using results of these tests, SPHD will determine the appropriate steps to be taken in order to best protect Township residents.

West Nile virus cannot be transmitted from person-to-person. WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. Most mosquitoes do not carry the virus.

There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with milder symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own, although illness may last weeks to months. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing, and nursing care. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately.  

SPHD reminds residents to take precautions against mosquitoes that may carry the virus, including: