The Kane County Health Department is urging residents to protect themselves against ticks and mosquitoes as warmer weather increases exposure risk, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.
Both ticks and mosquitoes can carry diseases that pose serious health risks. Ticks in Illinois are known vectors for Lyme disease and other illnesses, while mosquitoes can carry diseases including West Nile virus. Health officials typically ramp up public warnings during late spring and summer when outdoor activity increases and insect populations grow.
The health department's call to action follows a pattern seen across many Illinois counties each year as residents spend more time outdoors in parks, wooded areas, and backyards. Officials generally recommend wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas, using EPA-approved insect repellents, and checking for ticks after outdoor activities.
No specific outbreak or elevated case count was cited in the department's announcement. The warning is part of a broader seasonal public health effort to reduce tick and mosquito exposure before peak season arrives.
