DuPage County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus         

[MAY 26, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, announced Wednesday that a mosquito sample collected in DuPage County has been confirmed with the first positive test results in Illinois this year for West Nile virus.

The Illinois Department of Public Health was notified by DuPage County of the findings as part of the routine surveillance for West Nile virus. The positive mosquito sample was collected May 22 in West Chicago. "The finding is not surprising," Whitaker said. "West Nile virus activity has been present in the state for the past several years, and we expected to see activity again this year. These findings should serve as a reminder to citizens to take precautions to prevent contracting this mosquito-borne disease."

In 2005, the first positive bird and mosquito were reported May 24 in DuPage County. Last year 57 of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile-positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 252 human cases of West Nile disease, including 12 deaths, were reported last year in Illinois.

Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began May 1 and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays and robins, and the testing of sick horses and humans with disease symptoms like West Nile. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay or robin should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird is to be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The first human case in Illinois is not usually reported until July or later.

Only about two people out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. People older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include these:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present.

• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

Public health officials believe that a hot summer could increase mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or by calling the West Nile Virus Hotline at [phone] Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

[Illinois Department of Public Health news release]