First Human Death From West Nile Virus Reported In Illinois

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Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 22 Sep 2010 - 13:00 PDT


A woman in her 80s who was diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV) infection last month has died, says the DuPage County Health Department, Illinois. She is the first confirmed human death from WNV this year, authorities say. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says the WNV threat is still urgent.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold, said:

We continue to see West Nile virus activity across Illinois, but we are seeing very high infection rates in mosquitoes in the northeastern part of the state. Despite cooler temperatures, the threat of West Nile virus still exists. Senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable and need to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites by using insect repellent or staying indoors.

There have been 14 human cases of WNV infection so far this year, according to IDPH. The first case, involving a woman in her 50s, occurred in DuPage County.

29 Illinois counties have reported mosquito batches, birds or humans testing positive. Two birds tested positive as early as May this year in Carroll County and St. Clair County.

The first positive mosquito samples last year took place in Cook County on June 1.

36 of Illinois' 102 counties reported having a WNV positive bird, mosquito sample, horse or human case in 2009. There were five human cases last year, and no deaths.

The mosquito feeds on an infected bird and becomes infected itself. It then bites a human, infecting the human.

The majority of infected people have no clinical symptoms - they are infected but don't know it. Some may have symptoms of illness 3 to 15 days after being bitten by a mosquito which is carrying the virus.

The first human case in the state of Illinois does not appear until July or later.

About 20% of infected humans do have symptoms, which are usually mild and include body aches, headache, and fever. A small percentage of individuals may develop complications, such as encephalitis and meningitis, both of which can be life-threatening. Complications are more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems, as well as seniors.

Tips to reduce your risk of being bitten by a mosquito

• Avoid going outside during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Make sure your outdoor clothing covers as much skin as possible. Wear shoes, socks, and long sleeves.
• Apply insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535. Check with the pharmacist, a doctor or the label before applying a repellent to a child.
• Fitted window and door screens should be in good order and tightly fitted. Keep windows and doors shut, especially at night.
• Standing (stagnant) water - stagnant water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Make sure there is no standing water in bird baths, buckets, flowerpots, pods, old tires and holes in the ground.

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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