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2007-8-28 18:27:00 |
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Friday August 10, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health announced today that a resident of the state had died from complications associated with mosquito-borne West Nile virus; the first fatality in the state for the year of 2007. An Ogle County man, 77, died August 8 after becoming ill from West Nile virus earlier this month. It is not known whether or not he got bitten by an infected mosquito. West Nile has thus far this year infected eight people in Illinois with the first case reported in Dupage County on June 15. The counties where human cases of West Nile virus were reported include Cook, Dupage, Kane, Madison, Ogle, and Tazewell counties. No infected mosquitoes have been reported so far this year in Kane, Madison and Ogle. "Senior citizens and those individuals with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable so I want to stress the importance of taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself against mosquito bites," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director. "There are preventive actions you can take to avoid getting West Nile virus such as wearing insect repellent with DEET and I encourage everyone who goes outside, especially from dusk to dawn, to take this preventive measure.?/span> According to the IDPH, eight counties have reported West Nile positive mosquitoes this year including Cook, Dupage, Lake, Lee, Macoupin, Saline, Sangamon and Tazewell. In 2006, the first positive mosquito sample was reported May 24th in Dupage County and first human case was announced August 1 in St. Clair County. Last year, 77 out of the state's 102 counties witnessed West Nile virus activity in birds, mosquitoes, horses, and humans. A total of 215 human cases including ten deaths were reported. The state health agency said that West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected by feeding on an infected bird. Avoiding mosquito bites is what one needs to do to prevent West Nile virus. Eighty percent of people who are infected do not show any symptoms. But about 20 percent experience symptoms including fever, headache and body aches. In serious cases, the virus results in encephalitis and meningitis and even death. People who are older than 50 years of age and those whose immune systems are compromised are at the highest risk of severe implications by the West Nile virus. To avoid mosquitoes, the IDPH suggest the following: Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present. When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus 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 bird baths, 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. Related articles California declares state of emergency after West Nile kills four people Three more human cases of West Nile reported in Illinois More Californians suffer West Nile virus this year US: West Nile has infected 116 and killed 2 by July 22 Third person in Illinois infected with West Nile virus US: West Nile has infected 47 and killed 2 by July 13 Second Illinoisan infected with West Nile virus West Nile Virus Activity Increases in California Questions and Answers about West Nile virus Mississippi reports sixth human case of West Nile virus this week First human West Nile virus case in Illinois West Nile Virus Activity --- United States, 2006 Third human case of West Nile Virus reported in Mississippi First mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois |
