CARLINVILLE– It has been reported that a swimming pool in Staunton contained mosquitos that tested positive for the West Nile Virus .

Phil Whitler and Maria Brines, Sanitarians with the Macoupin County Public Health Department have identified West Nile Virus positive mosquitos in the Palmyra, Medora, and Staunton areas.

Approximately 10,500 mosquitos have been collected and tested throughout the county since May 17.

The samples are placed in test tubes containing 50 mosquitos each.

They are ground into a slurry and tested by a "wicking" method that detects viral anitgens on immobilized antibodies placed on the wick.

Ten mosquito traps are placed in various sites around the county to collect mosquitos during the mosquito breeding season. Testing may continue into October.

Whitler and Brines cannot stress enough that hot, dry summer months produce an ideal environment for the proliferation of disease carrying mosquitoes.

Wearing an insect repellent containing DEET is a "must" in the late evening or early morning hours.

Insect repellents containing picardian and oil of lemon eucalyptus are also approved mosquito repellents.

Use the repellents according to the label instructions and consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

Kent Tarro, Administrator of Macoupin County Public Health Department warns "This is no time to let your guard down." Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, empty all water holding containers around your house and place a tarp over any old tires to prevent mosquitos from breeding.

For more information contact Macoupin County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Division at (217) 854-3223, at ext. 230, ext. 231, or ext. 246.