First 2026 West Nile Surveillance Pool Confirmed In Macoupin County
A mosquito sample collected in Gillespie tested positive on June 19, prompting county health officials to renew warnings about standing water, mosquito bites and seasonal prevention steps.
MACOUPIN COUNTY – The Macoupin County Public Health Department confirmed the first positive surveillance pool for West Niles Virus in the county in 2026.
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The Macoupin County Public Health Department has confirmed the county’s first positive surveillance pool for West Nile virus in 2026, officials said after a mosquito pool in Gillespie tested positive on June 19, 2026.
The department announced the finding and urged residents to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas and protect themselves from bites.
“We encourage citizens to eliminate sources of standing water and appropriately dispose of old tires as they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” Doug King, administrator of the Department of Public Health in Macoupin County, said.
According to the health department, West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito.
The department said symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people who become infected with WNV will not display symptoms. People older than 50 or individuals with weakened immune systems are at risk of severe illness from West Nile virus.
Health officials said the best ways to reduce mosquito-borne illness are to practice the “Three R’s.”
Reduce: Make sure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens. Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, flower pots, wading pools, old tires, and containers.
Repel: When outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, and use repellent that contains DEET.
Report: Report locations where you see standing stagnant water for more than a week, such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, or similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
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