 The first human case of West Nile virus in southern Illinois also
was reported. The Crawford County Health Department confirmed that a
woman in her 80s tested positive for West Nile virus."This year
there are record levels of West Nile virus activity nationwide and
very high mosquito activity in Illinois," said IDPH Director LaMar
Hasbrouck. "We urge people to continue to protect themselves by
following the three 'R's' -- reduce exposure to mosquitoes, repel
them by wearing insect repellent, and report areas where mosquitoes
typically breed."
Through the second week in August, 693 cases had been reported to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is the highest
number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the
same period since West Nile virus was first detected in the U.S. in
1999. More than 80 percent of the cases have been reported from six
states -- Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and
California.
IDPH currently is reporting 21 human cases of West Nile virus in
Illinois. The first human case of West Nile virus was reported on
July 24 -- about a month earlier than most human cases in previous
years. There were 34 human cases for the entire year in 2011.
So far this year, 38 counties have reported mosquito batches,
birds or people testing positive for West Nile virus. The first West
Nile virus-positive bird, a crow, was collected on May 16 in
Chicago, and IDPH and DuPage County Health Department environmental
health staff collected positive mosquito samples on May 17 from
Lemont and Norridge in Cook County and from Clarendon Hills,
Hinsdale, Lisle, Westmont and Woodridge in DuPage County.
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 can occur, including
meningitis or encephalitis, or even death. People older than 50 are
at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.
[to top of second column] |
 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, following instructions on
the label. Consult a physician before using repellents on
infants.
REPORT -- In
communities where there are organized mosquito control programs,
contact your municipal government to report dead birds and 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
IDPH website at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm. Surveillance numbers are
updated on the IDPH website at
www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/
wnvsurveillance12.htm.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
