First Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Southern Illinois

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 12 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, announced a mosquito batch collected in St. Clair County has been confirmed as the first positive West Nile virus test results in southern Illinois this year.

The St. Clair County Health Department collected the positive mosquito sample on June 3 in Shiloh. Positive mosquito batches have also been found in Cook County and a crow has tested positive for West Nile virus in LaSalle County.

"We are starting to see mosquito batches and birds in Illinois test positive for West Nile virus," said Dr. Arnold. "As we head into summer it's important to remember to take precautions, such as wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around your house, to reduce the risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus."

In 2008, the first positive mosquito samples were reported May 23 in DuPage and Tazewell counties. Last year 28 of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 20 human cases of West Nile disease, including one death, were reported last year in Illinois.

Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began on May 1 and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The first human case in Illinois is not usually reported until July or later.

Only about two people in 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible.

Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

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.

- When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 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 Illinois Department of Public Health's Web site at http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.

Source
Illinois Department of Public Health

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