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 "As we head into summer and temperatures get
warmer, we're going to start seeing more mosquito activity and an
increased risk for West Nile virus," Arnold said. "Although
most cases of West Nile virus are mild, the virus can cause serious,
life-altering and even fatal disease. That is why it is so
important to protect yourself against mosquito bites by wearing
insect repellent and getting rid of any standing water around your
home."
The crow testing positive for West Nile virus
was collected on June 1 in Lostant.
Mosquito batches testing positive for West Nile
virus so far this year have been reported in Cook County.
In 2008, the first positive mosquito samples
were reported May 23 in DuPage and Tazewell counties. Last year 28
of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile-positive
bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 20 human cases of
West Nile disease, including one death, were reported last year in
Illinois.
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois
began on 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 will 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 15 days after the bite of
an infected mosquito. The first human case in Illinois is not
usually reported until July or later.
Only about two people in 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.
-
When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a
long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET,
picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 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.
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 on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Web site
at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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