The Logan County Department of Public Health urges you to “Fight The Bite”

[May 27, 2017]  With the onset of warmer weather, mosquitoes are now becoming more active. This increased activity means that people are at risk for becoming infected with West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the WNV which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

In addition to WNV, mosquitoes also carry the virus capable of transmitting other forms of encephalitis such as Lacrosse and St. Louis. To reduce the risks of becoming infected by mosquitoes, it pays to “fight the bite” by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.

• When outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors so light-colored clothing is preferred.

• Apply insect repellent which includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Contact a physician before using repellents on infants and always follow the label instructions.

• Eliminate ways for mosquitoes to gain entry into your home. Be sure screens that protect doors and windows are tight-fitting, free of tears and are in good repair.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding such as flower pots, clogged gutters, old tires, unused wading pools and other receptacles. Bird bath water should be replaced weekly.

• To report public tire dump sites, abandoned pools, areas of standing water in roadside ditches, flooded yards or similar conditions which may produce mosquitoes, you can contact your local municipality or the Logan County Department of Public Health.

If you are bitten by a mosquito, there is no reason to be tested for WNV since illnesses related to mosquito bites are rare. However, if you develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness or severe headaches, you should see your doctor.

Due to the lack of a State budget, the Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) currently does not have the grant funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health to finance the collecting and shipment of dead birds for laboratory testing. If funding becomes available, the public will be notified.

Despite the overall lack of funds for the mosquito prevention program, the LCDPH will make efforts to conduct activities for trapping and testing of mosquitoes throughout Logan County to detect WNV activity during much of the summer.

If you have questions regarding prevention of mosquito-related diseases and would like more information, you can contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317 or visit the environmental health page on their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.

*Information Source: IL Dept. of Public Health

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]