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Three new cases of West Nile virus in Illinois bring total number of human cases to 6          Send a link to a friend

[August 06, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed three new cases of people with West Nile virus, bringing the total to six human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois for 2007. The latest are a Kane County woman in her 40s who became ill in the latter part of June, a Tazewell County woman in her 20s who became ill in mid-July and a male resident in his 40s from Chicago, Cook County, who became ill during later half of July with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.

The first human case for 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15.

"So far this year six people in Illinois are confirmed to have West Nile virus, compared with only one human case at this time last year," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Illinois Department of Public Health director. "While we do not want to frighten the public, we do want to spread the message that protecting yourself from mosquito bites is the best prevention."

There have been six counties this year to report positive mosquito samples. They are Cook, DuPage, Lake, Lee, Sangamon and Tazewell. There have been no positive bird samples.

In 2006, the first positive mosquito sample was reported May 24 in DuPage County, and the first human case was reported Aug. 1 in St. Clair County. Last year, 77 of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile-positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 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, robins and other perching birds, as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird 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.

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.

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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 take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:

  • 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 flowerpots, clogged roof gutters, old tires and any other receptacles. Change water in birdbaths weekly. Properly maintain wading pools, and stock ornamental ponds with fish. Cover rain barrels with 16-mesh wire screen. 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.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm, or call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Every Wednesday during the season, the Illinois Department of Public Health is distributing news releases updating West Nile virus activity in the state. Updates throughout the week can be found at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.

[Text from Illinois Department of Public Health news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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