The West Nile virus was the cause of eight deaths in Illinois in 2022 and public health officials are asking Illinoisans to “fight the bite” this year during mosquito control awareness week starting Sunday June 18,2023.

Four counties in the state are already reporting positive batches of West Nile virus.

2.5 million dollars will be spent by local health departments on vector surveillance and control activities including collecting mosquitoes and sick or dead birds for West Nile virus testing.

West Nile virus has been reported this year in Cook, LaSalle, Morgan and St. Clair counties.