Updated
Updated · Evanston RoundTable · May 29
NSMAD Detects First 2026 West Nile-Positive Mosquitoes in Evanston
Updated
Updated · Evanston RoundTable · May 29

NSMAD Detects First 2026 West Nile-Positive Mosquitoes in Evanston

1 articles · Updated · Evanston RoundTable · May 29
  • Mosquitoes collected May 26 in an Evanston trap tested positive for West Nile virus on May 28, marking the first infected batch found there this year.
  • NSMAD said infection risk is still low this early in the season, but it and Evanston Health & Human Services urged residents to use EPA-registered repellent, wear long sleeves and limit exposure at dawn and dusk.
  • Residents were also told to remove standing water from yards and containers because even small pools can become breeding sites for mosquitoes.
  • NSMAD asked people to report stagnant water in ditches, flooded yards and similar areas at 847-446-9434, while Evanston residents can also contact the city through 311.
Most West Nile infections are asymptomatic, so how can residents accurately assess their true personal risk this season?
As mosquito seasons lengthen due to climate change, can urban design offer a more permanent solution than seasonal chemical sprays?
An invasive mosquito is also on the rise; how will the Asian Tiger's spread change local disease risks in the Midwest?