The Village of Park Forest received notice last week that multiple cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the south suburban area. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports an uptick in West Nile cases in the region. Based on guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Village encourages the public to Fight the Bite when it comes to mosquito protection. This includes “the Three R’s” . . . reduce, repel and report.
REDUCE - Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
REPEL - When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET or other repellents. When it comes to children under 3 years old, residents should consult a physician before using repellents.
REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
For more information on West Nile Virus, residents are encouraged to visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at www.dph.illinois.gov