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"Typically we don't receive reports of human West Nile virus cases
in Illinois until July; however, DuPage County has reported positive
West Nile virus mosquito samples this year," said Dr. Eric E.
Whitaker, Illinois Department of Public Health director. "This
should serve as a reminder that you need to protect yourself against
mosquito bites now." Positive mosquito samples reported this year
were from DuPage County on May 8, Tazewell County on May 17 and Cook
County on May 24.
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 symptoms like West Nile disease. 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 out of 10 people 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 to 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.
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 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 from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Illinois Department of Public Health will have news releases
updating West Nile virus activity in the state every Wednesday
during the season.
Updates
throughout the week can be found on the department's online site.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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