Wednesday August 15, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced three new human cases of mosquito-borne West Nile virus infections Wednesday, bringing the total of human cases in the state for 2007 to eleven.

The latest cases include a 56-year old Chicago man who became ill in mid-July, an 88-year old Chicago man who became ill in late-July, and a 59-year old Pike County woman who became ill in early July.   But the state health agency did not say whether these people got infected through a bite of an infected mosquito.

The first human case of West Nile virus for 2007 was reported in DuPage County on June 15.  In 2006, the first positive mosquito sample was reported May 24th in Dupage County and first human case was announced August 1 in St. Clair County.

Last week, an Ogle County man, 77, died after becoming ill from West Nile virus earlier this month.    It is not known whether he got bitten by an infected mosquito.

The counties where human cases of West Nile virus were reported now include Cook, Dupage, Kane, Madison, Ogle, Pike, and Tazewell counties.

“As the temperatures increase, so does the risk of West Nile virus. Everyone should take necessary steps to reduce their chances of being bitten by mosquitoes," said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director.

“Wear insect repellent when you’re outside. If you can, stay indoors during peak hours from dusk until dawn. A little bit of prevention can go a long way to cutting down your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.”

Ten counties where positive mosquito samples have been reported so far this year now include Cook, DuPage, Jackson, Kane, Lake, Lee, Macoupin, Madison, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair and Tazewell.   Kane and Madison are the counties where positive mosquitoes were reported last week.

The IDPH states in its announcement released today "The East Side Health District collected a positive West Nile virus mosquito sample in East St. Louis on August 9 and the Jackson County Health Department collected a positive mosquito sample in Murphysboro on August 13."

Last year, 77 out of the state's 102 counties witnessed West Nile virus activity in birds, mosquitoes, horses, and humans.    A total of 215 human cases including ten deaths were reported.

"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 earlier.

"There are preventive actions you can take to avoid getting West Nile virus such as wearing insect repellent with DEET and I encourage everyone who goes outside, especially from dusk to dawn, to take this preventive measure.”

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.