-
Brown County woman in
her 30s with neuroinvasive disease
-
Clay County man in
his 40s with West Nile fever
-
Cook County man in
his 60s with neuroinvasive disease
-
Cook County woman in
her 70s with neuroinvasive disease
-
Crawford County woman
in her 30s with neuroinvasive disease
-
DuPage County man in
his 60s with neuroinvasive disease
-
DuPage County man in
his 70s with neuroinvasive disease
-
McHenry County woman
in her 50s with West Nile disease
-
Monroe County woman
in her 70s with neuroinvasive disease
-
Will County man in
his 50s with West Nile fever
-
Woodford County man
in his 80s with neuroinvasive disease
Only about two out of 10 people who are bitten by an infected
mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile disease
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.
"Mosquitoes are still present -- despite the cooler temps. Keep
mindful of this and protect yourself from being bitten," said Dr.
Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director.
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.
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As of Tuesday, 83 counties out of 102 had reported positive test
results for West Nile virus in mosquitoes, birds and horses. A list
of those
counties is available on the Department of Public Health
website.
Individuals can reduce their risk of West Nile illness and other
mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions:
-
Avoid being
outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between
dusk and dawn.
-
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.
For additional information about West Nile virus, call the West
Nile Virus Hotline, 866-369-9710, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., or visit
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.
[Illinois
Department of Public Health news release] |
