 "As temperatures start to
warm up, 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 still 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."A house sparrow collected in Lanark, Carroll County, on May
8 and a cowbird collected in Belleville, St. Clair County, on May
10, both tested positive for West Nile virus.
The first bird testing positive for West Nile virus in 2009 was
from LaSalle County and was reported on June 5. The first positive
mosquito samples were collected May 11 last year in Cook County. No
mosquito batches have tested positive for West Nile virus so far
this year.
Last year 36 of the state’s 102 counties were found to have a
West Nile-positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of
five human cases of West Nile disease were reported in Illinois last
year, the first reported on Aug. 31.
Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began on May 1 and
includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, 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. 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. 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 can be found 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] |
