Dr. Eric E. Whitaker,
state public health director, said the boy became ill Aug. 4 with a
headache, fever, stiff neck and muscle aches but did not require
hospital treatment and has recovered. Besides possible exposure to
infected mosquitoes in Macoupin County, the boy had recently
returned from a trip to Mexico before becoming ill.
Laboratory tests
performed by the Illinois Department of Public Health were positive
for the mosquito-borne disease, and the boy was diagnosed with West
Nile fever, a less severe form of West Nile disease.
The state's first
case, announced Aug. 19, was a 69-year-old man from Champaign County
who has West Nile encephalitis and was hospitalized.
In 2002, Illinois led
the nation in West Nile disease cases, with 884 and 66 deaths,
including nine cases (no deaths) in Macoupin County. This year,
three mosquito pools in Macoupin County have tested positive for
West Nile virus.
Dr. Whitaker again
urged people throughout Illinois to take some common-sense steps to
protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne disease:
--Whenever outdoors
between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a
long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best.
--When it is
necessary to be outdoors, apply insect repellent as indicated on the
repellent label. The more DEET a product contains, the longer the
repellent can protect against mosquito bites. However,
concentrations higher than 50 percent do not increase the length of
protection. For most situations, 10 percent to 25 percent DEET is
adequate. Apply repellents to clothes whenever possible. Apply
sparingly to exposed skin if label permits. Consult a physician
before using repellents on young children.
--Check residential
screens, including porches and patios, for tears and other openings
and repair, as necessary, to prevent mosquito entry.
--Eliminate stagnant
water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and
any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.
