The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging people to “Fight The Bite” and protect themselves from mosquitoes this summer. The West Nile Virus has been detected in four counties in Illinois including Saint Clair, Morgan, LaSalle, and Cook.  While many people who are infected don’t have many symptoms, the virus can be serious for the elderly and those with a compromised immune system. Public Health Spokesperson Mike Claffey encourages everyone to take precautions.

One way that you can protect yourself is by eliminating standing water on your property.

IDPH encourages you to practice the three “R”s –reduce, repel, and report. Reduce by making sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens and repairing or replacing screens that have tears or other openings. Repel when you are outdoors, by wearing shoes and socks, long pants, and light colored, long-sleeved shirts. 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.

Find out more by visiting the IDPH website.