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 “Although we’re moving toward the end of summer, West Nile virus
remains a risk until the first hard frost,” said IDPH Director Nirav
D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “It’s important for everyone to continue taking
precautions like using insect repellent, wearing long sleeve shirts
and pants, and staying indoors between dusk and dawn.”
Last year IDPH reported the first human West Nile virus death in
Illinois on September 29, 2017. During 2017, there were 90 human
West Nile virus cases, including eight deaths. IDPH is currently
reporting 22 human cases. West Nile virus positive results in
humans, birds, mosquitoes, and/or horses have been reported in 58
counties this year.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito.
Common 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 including meningitis or
encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 and
immuno-compromised individuals are at higher risk for severe
illness.
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Remember to take some simple precautions to reduce the number of
mosquitoes around your home and protect yourself from being bitten.
Minimize being outdoors when mosquitoes transmitting West Nile virus
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 contains DEET, picaridin, oil
of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions.
Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
Eliminate all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed,
such as old tires, buckets and other receptacles, or refresh the
water in bird baths, flowerpots and wading pools every couple days.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the
IDPH website.
[Illinois Department of Public Health] |
