Protecting Against the Zika Virus in McHenry County, Wisconsin & Northern Illinois

What's the hot new disease being promoted by the media? It's the Zika virus ... and it's transmitted by mosquitoes.

Uh oh. Summer is en route. Mosquitoes, too.

Should You Be Concerned About The Zika Virus in McHenry County?

Well, no. The mosquitoes that will soon be buzzing McHenry County, don't carry the Zika virus. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not a single person has contracted the virus from a mosquito in the contiguous U.S.

Foreign countries are different. Zika virus is a danger if you travel to Mexico, the Caribbean and some South American lands. Tropical mosquitoes in these areas carry the virus. More than 350 "travel-related" Zika cases have been reported in the U.S., where people returned from a foreign country after being infected.

The glaring risk of Zika virus is its connection to serious birth defects, including brain damage. Pregnant women, or those planning to become pregnant, should be especially wary about foreign travel.

Otherwise, Zika virus disease isn't fatal. It does have some undesirable symptoms – fever, rash and joint pain. So, if Zika comes up in conversation this summer, rest easy. Like malaria and dengue fever, it's borne by tropical mosquitoes that don't frequent McHenry County, southeastern Wisconsin or northern Illinois.

Not Out of the Woods Entirely

Just like mosquitoes love woods, though, we aren't out of the woods regarding mosquito--borne illness. West Nile virus, which appeared in the United States about 15 years ago, is a risk. In the McHenry County area, Illinois had 72 cases reported in 2015. Wisconsin had nine.

McHenry County local mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus. Its danger to people varies. In the vast majority of cases, an infected person has no symptoms.

About 1 in 5 infected people develops fever and other symptoms: headache, body pain, vomiting and rash. Most recover in full.

Yet, a sliver of those infected encounter serious neurologic illness, and can even die. People over sixty are at highest risk. With McHenry County summer activities pending – pool parties, family gatherings, the Fourth of July and others – it's worth considering how to shield yourself and others from the West Nile virus.

Guarding against mosquitoes, period, reduces the chance of running into one (or more) carrying West Nile. A mosquito repellent treatment by The Mosquito Guy keeps mosquitoes away for 30 days. We travel to McHenry County and throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

A Small Price for Mosquito Protection and Peace of Mind

Prices start at just $125 per application. It's a small cost to pay for peace of mind regarding West Nile ... and the peace of no mosquitoes buzzing around your ears. Call 262-521-1258, request a mosquito control quote or e-mail margie@themosquitoguy.com, to schedule an application for your McHenry County yard.

Zika virus isn't a worry here. Other mosquito-borne ailments are. The Mosquito Guy will make sure that you, and those you love, are protected from all.