-
McHenry County man in
his 30s became ill in mid-September.
-
McHenry County man in
his 20s became ill in early September.
-
LaSalle County man in
his 30s became ill in late August.
-
DuPage County man in
his 40s became ill in early September.
-
DuPage County woman
in her 40s became ill in mid-August.
-
DuPage County woman
in her 30s became ill in early September.
-
Cook County man in
his 70s became ill in mid-September.
-
Cook County woman in
her 30s became ill in late August.
-
Will County man in
his 60s became ill in early September.
-
Whiteside County man
in his 50s became ill in early September.
-
St. Clair County
women in her 30s became ill in mid-September.
-
Rock Island County
man in his 50s became ill in early September.
-
Woodford County woman
in her 60s became ill in early September.
"We're experiencing cooler temperatures, but West Nile virus
season is not over. Take time to prepare when you go outside, to
avoid mosquito bites. Wear insect repellent and avoid standing
water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes," said Dr. Eric E.
Whitaker, state public health director.
There have been four deaths in Illinois related to West Nile
virus in 2007.
So far this year, a total of 39 counties in Illinois have
reported mosquito samples, birds or humans positive for West Nile
virus.
The following county health departments are reporting their first
West Nile virus positive samples of this year:
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.
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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.
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 is available at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm, or people can call
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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