The City of Highland Park, like many other local communities, has been notified by the South Lake County Mosquito Abatement District of the presence of the West Nile Virus in the area. The District has reported that mosquitoes captured within Highland Park have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The South Lake County Mosquito Abatement District is following national guidelines for reducing mosquito populations. As a result of the presence of the virus in the area, resident may see an increase in the number of treatments being applied within Highland Park. The City of Highland Park and the Mosquito Abatement District would like to remind residents of the steps that can be taken to help minimize the mosquito population.

All mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle.
Eliminate standing water, and you help eliminate these pests!

Information on Spraying and Abatement

Updated Information Regarding Insect Repellents

• Get rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, or any water holding containers;
• Fill in or drain any low places (puddles, ruts) in yard;
• Keep drains, ditches, and culverts clean of weeds and trash so water will drain properly;
• Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater;
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets;
• Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use;
• Make sure your pool is properly cared for while on vacation;
• Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water with sand or concrete;
• Change the water in bird baths and plant pots or drip trays at least once a week;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubs well trimmed to eliminate adult mosquito harborage areas.

Resident calls regarding standing water alert technicians to potential breeding areas. To report standing water, call the Mosquito Hotline at 800-942-2555. This number is also the one to call if you wish to be notified of spraying.

Certain viruses can cause encephalitis, or an inflammation of the brain. West Nile encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by the West Nile virus. The West Nile virus has been confirmed in the Highland Park area, although no human cases have been reported in the area to date. People may get the West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito, but only severe infections will cause encephalitis.

Most people infected with the disease will show no symptoms of illness, but some individuals may become ill 3 to 15 days after an infected mosquito has bitten them. Based upon preliminary evidence about 25% of the individuals infected will show some symptoms, such as body aches, mild fever and headache. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems can experience more serious complications. In serious cases, the virus can develop into encephalitis and can cause muscle weakness, convulsions and in rare cases the virus can be fatal. There is currently no specific treatment for the disease and no vaccine has been developed.

The City would like to remind residents to minimize the risk of mosquito bite by taking the following precautions:

• Whenever outdoors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best;
• Use mosquito repellent containing 25% to 35% DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors. Repellent should be applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing, following label precautions. Please consult with a physician before using repellents on young children;
• Repair any tears in window and door screens around the home;
• Eliminate any stagnant water in flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, gutters and downspouts. Remember to clean and replace the water in birdbaths and pet dishes frequently to eliminate them as mosquito breeding areas;
• Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.