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"Although we only have a total of seven Illinois counties reporting
West Nile virus so far this summer, compared to 32 counties last
year, we need to remain vigilant about protecting ourselves from
mosquito bites," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Illinois Department of
Public Health director. "Already this year we have received reports
of three people ill with West Nile virus when there were no human
cases reported at this time last year. Make sure you take
precautions and protect yourself against mosquitoes and the diseases
they transmit."
Other counties reporting positive West Nile virus mosquito
batches this year are DuPage, Tazewell and Cook counties. The first
human case for 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15, the
second in Cook County and the most recent case in Madison County.
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:
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Avoid being
outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between
dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are
present.
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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.
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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.
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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 is available at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm, or people can call the
West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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