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 Different types of mosquitoes can carry
different types of diseases, like West Nile virus and Zika virus,
but steps you can take to protect yourself from mosquito bites are
essentially the same.
“Each year since 2002 when we saw the first human cases of West Nile
virus in Illinois, we’ve seen the virus circulate across the state,”
said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D. J.D. “Now, for the second
summer, we’re monitoring for Zika virus in Illinois. While Zika is
also primarily transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, the main
type of mosquito that carries Zika virus is rarely found in
Illinois. However, taking some simple precautions can help you avoid
mosquito bites, regardless of the type of mosquito or the diseases
they carry.”
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Culex
pipiens, “house” mosquito. Mild cases of West Nile virus infections
may cause a slight fever or headache. More severe infections are
marked by a rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches,
disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases,
paralysis or death. Symptoms usually occur from three to 14 days
after the bite of an infected mosquito. However, four out of five
people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms.
People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from West
Nile Virus.
Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an Aedes
aegypti mosquito, a mosquito that rarely has been found in Illinois.
Unlike West Nile virus, Zika virus can be passed from person to
person through sex, so it’s important to wear a condom if you or
your partner may have been exposed to Zika. Many people infected
with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will have only mild symptoms
and might not realize they have been infected. The most common
symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis
(red eyes), and typically last several days to a week. However, Zika
virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect
called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects.
Since December 2015, 116 cases of Zika virus have been reported in
Illinois; 115 cases are travel-related and one case occurred through
sex with someone who traveled to an area with Zika virus. More
information about Zika virus can be found on the IDPH website.
Predicting how bad the mosquito season will be is
like predicting the weather - it can change week to week. The key
factors in determining high or low levels of mosquito activity are
temperature and rainfall. Although people usually notice mosquitoes
during rainy conditions, those mosquitoes are commonly called
floodwater or nuisance mosquitoes (Aedes vexans) and typically do
not carry disease.
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In hot, dry weather, mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus breed
in stagnant water, like street catch basins and ditches, and multiply rapidly.
Similarly, the type of mosquito that carries Zika virus also breeds in stagnant
water like empty flower pots, tires, and any container that holds water that is
not changed weekly. There are two other types of mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus
and Aedes triseriatus) found in Illinois that can also carry disease and breed
in water-collecting containers.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to reduce the number of mosquitoes
around your home and protect yourself from being bitten. Precautions include
practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.
• REDUCE - 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.
Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes
can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old
tires, and any other containers.
• 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 – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more
than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that
may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be
able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the IDPH website.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health] |
