Biological Agents
West Nile virus infects 28, kills 3 Illinoisans so far this year
By Sue Mueller
Sep 12, 2007 - 10:46:10 PM

WEDNESDAY, September 12, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Wednesday announced a third mosquito-borne West Nile virus-related death and eight additional human cases of the virus in the state, bringing the total human cases for this year to 28.  

A 69-year-old Cook County woman became ill in late August and died on September 3. Two early deaths from West Nile virus in Illinois this year include a 47-year-old Chicago man who died August 7 and a 77-year-old Ogle County man who died August 8.

The IDPH also announced that three new counties including McLean, Vermilion, and Will reported positive West Nile virus mosquito samples or birds.   So far this year, a total of 34 counties in Illinois have reported mosquito samples, birds or humans positive for West Nile virus.

West Nile activity in mosquito samples, birds or humans was reported earlier in 31 counties including Jackson, Kane, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Macon, Marion, Macoupin, Madison, McHenry, Mg Bureau, Champaign, Clinton, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Franklin, Gallorgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Richland, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair, Tazewell, White, Whiteside, Winnebago and Woodford counties.

This past week, the IDPH received reports of eight additional human cases of West Nile including

2 Cook County women in their 40’s who became ill in late August

1 Cook County man in his 50’s who became ill in early September

1 Cook County man in his 50’s who became ill in mid-August

1 Cook County man in his 60’s who became ill in late August

1 Cook County man in his 70’s who became ill in late August

1 DuPage County teenage boy became ill in late August

1 St. Clair County man in his 60’s became ill in early September

“We’ve been seeing cooler temperatures this week, but I want to remind people the mosquito season is not over and there is still a chance you could get West Nile virus,” said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Illinois Department of Public Health Director. “Make sure if you go outside to take precautions like wearing insect repellent with DEET and get rid of any standing water around your home.”

Last year 77 of the state’s 102 counties were found to have a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 deaths, were reported last year in Illinois.

"People need to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against mosquito bites," Dr. Whitaker said earlier. "We still may have another month of hot summer temperatures and possibly more warm weather in the fall."

"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.

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 suggests 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.