The West Nile virus is in southeastern Illinois. Reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) show that notice has been given in Clay County after a previously submitted bird specimen tested positive for the disease. It had been collected on June 10th in the Flora area and submitted for testing to the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The confirmation of a positive bird specimen means that the virus is circulating in the community and there is the increased risk of infection for humans. West Nile is spread through the bites of infected mosquitos. With warm, summer weather upon us, it is important to remember the three R’s-Reduce exposure, Repel with insect repellant and Report areas where mosquitoes typically breed.