Sharks, crocodiles and even grizzly bears can be a threat in some places, but worldwide the lowly mosquito is the real threat to humans. Mosquitos, or more accurately the diseases carried by mosquitos, are the leading cause of death worldwide, and can be a problem here in Illinois…. Where we have plenty of mosquito’s. One disease we hear a lot about is the Zika virus, but fortunately the type of mosquito that carries Zika is not present in Illinois, according to state epidemiologist Dr Connie Austin.



And if you have travelled to those areas, you can be tested for Zika if you are concerned. Meanwhile the major Mosquito borne disease to worry about in Illinois is West Nile virus, which is still around and showing up early this year.



West Nile can be threat to anyone who spends time outdoors, which this time of year is most of us.