 The Tazewell County Health Department collected the positive
mosquito batch in Delavan on June 10."During June and July,
mosquitoes that typically carry West Nile virus are breeding,
particularly during hot weather," Arnold said. "To help reduce the
number of mosquitoes, make sure to get rid of any stagnant water
around your home and protect yourself by wearing insect repellent."
In 2010, the first positive mosquito
samples were collected on June 3 in Gallatin County. Last year, 30
of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile-positive
bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 61 human cases of
West Nile disease were reported in Illinois last year, the first
reported on Aug. 31. In hotter summers, such as 2005 and 2006, more
human cases have been reported:
-
2009 -- 5
-
2008 -- 20
-
2007 -- 101
-
2006 -- 215
-
2005 -- 252
-
2004 -- 60
-
2003 -- 54
-
2002 -- 884
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 been infected with 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.
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 illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis are possible,
and deaths are possible.
Individuals 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 can be found on the
Illinois Department of Public Health's website 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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