Wednesday August 29 (foodconsumer.org) - The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday August 29 that three more people in the state have tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the total to 14 for 2007.   The virus has been found also in mosquitoes and birds collected in eight new countries.

The new human cases of West Nile include a Cook County man in his 50's who became ill in mid-August, another Cook County man in his 70's who was ill in Mid-August and a Woodford County man in his 60's who became ill in early August.  

The first human case for 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15, according to the IDPH.   An Ogle County man, 77, died August 8 after becoming ill from West Nile virus earlier.

“People need to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against mosquito bites,” Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director said earlier.    “We still may have another month of hot summer temperatures and possibly more warm weather in the fall.”

Today, Dr. Whitaker said   “Although the recent flooding in northeastern Illinois is producing floodwater mosquitoes that typically don’t carry West Nile virus, I want to remind people in flooded areas and everyone throughout the state to continue to protect themselves against the common house mosquito which does carry West Nile virus.”

He advised residents to wear protection against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus infection.   “West Nile virus can cause illness, from mild to severe, and even death in some cases, so people need to remember to wear insect repellent with DEET and protect themselves when outdoors.”

The new counties where West Nile virus was found this year in mosquitoes or birds include Champaign, Dekalb, Marion, McHenry, White, Whiteside, Winnebago and Woodford counties.  

Counties that reported West Nile in mosquitoes, birds and humans earlier are Cook, DuPage, Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Kane, Lake, Lee, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Ogle, Pike, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair and Tazewell counties.

Last year, 77 out of 102 counties in the state reported a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 215 human cases of West Nile illness, resulting in 10 deaths, were reported last year in the state.

"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," Dr. Whitaker said earlier.

The state health agency says 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.