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2007-8-30 13:58:46 |
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SPRINGFIELD, IL, July 25, 2007 - Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found in three additional counties in Illinois, the State Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today, bringing the total number of infected counties in the state to seven for the year of 2007. The state health agency said a positive mosquito batch was sampled from rural south-west Lake County on July 6, another from Springfield in Sangamon County on July 19 and the third one from Amboy in Lee County on July 24, 2007. "Although we only have a total of seven Illinois counties reporting West Nile virus so far this summer, compared to 32 counties last year, we need to remain vigilant about protecting ourselves from mosquito bites," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Director of Illinois Department of Public Health. "Already this year we have received reports of three people ill with West Nile virus when there were no human cases reported at this time last year. Make sure you take precautions and protect yourself against mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit." Other counties where mosquitoes were found earlier positive for West Nile virus include DuPage, Tazewell and Cook counties. As of last week, the Illinois has confirmed three human cases of West Nile virus; the first case for 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15, the second in Cook County and the most recent case in Madison County. The human cases of West Nile virus were found earlier this year than last year although the first positive mosquito was reported later this year than last year. In 2006, the first positive mosquito sample was reported on May 24th in DuPage County and the first human case was reported August 1 in St. Clair County, according to the IDPH. In 2006, the activity of West Nile virus has been found in birds, mosquitoes, horses and humans in 77 of the state's 102 counties. The virus infected a total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease and caused 10 human deaths. The Illinois state began the surveillance for West Nile virus May 1st and laboratory tests are conducted on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. The IDPH said residents who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department for a possible testing for West Nile virus. People get infected with West Nile virus often through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird, the IDPH said. The virus does not pose any risk to most people, but to the older people aged 50 or older, the virus can result in a severe disease. 80 percent of infected people do not show any clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill after an incubation period of three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. 20 percent of those who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is in most cases mild and includes fever, headache and body aches. In some cases, the virus can cause encephalitis and meningitis, and even death. The IDPH gives the following advice to the residents to help prevent West Nile virus infection. 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 to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include: 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. Public health officials believe that a hot summer could increase mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus. Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Department’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or people can call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The Illinois Department of Public Health will send news releases updating West Nile virus activity in the state every Wednesday during the season. Updates throughout the week can be found on the Department Web site. |
