 A bird collected in Cook County on May 16 and mosquito batches
collected on May 17 and May 18 in DuPage and Cook counties were the
first West Nile virus-positive specimens in Illinois this year.
"With hot weather forecasted for this week, we anticipate
increased West Nile virus activity across the state. Typically when
temperatures increases, so do mosquito activity and the risk of West
Nile disease," said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois
Department of Public Health. "It is important to protect yourself by
following the three R's -- reduce your exposure to
mosquitoes, repel them by wearing insect repellent and
report areas where mosquitoes typically breed."
This year, West Nile virus-positive birds or mosquitoes have been
reported in 13 counties: Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Gallatin,
Jackson, Kendall, LaSalle, Madison, Peoria, St. Clair, Stephenson
and Will counties. No human cases of West Nile virus have been
reported so far this year.
Reports are updated online every Wednesday afternoon at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/
wnvsurveillance12.htm.
The first West Nile virus-positive results in 2011 were collected
on June 8 from two birds from LaSalle County. Last year 19 counties
in Illinois reported a West Nile virus-positive mosquito batch, bird
or human case. A total of 34 Illinois residents contracted West Nile
virus disease, and three died.
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory
tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other
perching birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West
Nile-like disease symptoms. People 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. Common
West Nile virus symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle
aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However,
four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show
any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness, including meningitis or
encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 are at
higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.
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 practicing the three "R's" -- reduce, repel and
report.
exposure -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most
active, especially between dusk and dawn.
-
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 where mosquitoes can breed, including
water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires
and any other receptacles.
[to top of second column]
 |
-
REPEL -- When
outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin,
oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label
instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on
infants.
-
REPORT -- 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 on the
Illinois Department of Public Health's website at
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 practicing the three "R's" -- reduce, repel and
report.
exposure -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most
active, especially between dusk and dawn.
-
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 where mosquitoes can breed, including
water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires
and any other receptacles.
REPEL -- When
outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin,
oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label
instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on
infants.
-
REPORT -- 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 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] |
