Monday, Jun. 08, 2009

West Nile virus identified in St. Clair County

A sample of mosquitos tested by the St. Clair County Health Department has tested positive for West Nile virus.

The sample was collected from a pool of water in Shiloh on June 3 and is the first positive mosquito pool identified this year in St. Clair County.

"We are starting to see mosquito batches and birds in Illinois test positive for West Nile virus," said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director. "As we head into summer it's important 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."

Health departments throughout the state began testing for the virus May 1.

The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of mosquitoes that had been feeding on infected birds. The virus rarely affects humans, but the symptoms can begin up to 14 days after the initial bite. Typically, only two out of 10 people bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness.

The symptoms are mild and usually include a fever, headache and body aches. People over the age of 50 have the highest risk of severe disease from the virus.

In 2008 the first positive mosquito samples were reported in May 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.

Last year there were 20 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Illinois and one death caused by West Nile Virus.

State public health officials have said a predicted hot, wet summer has the potential for increased mosquito activity as well as increased risk of disease from West Nile virus.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus, or any other mosquito-borne Illinois, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around the home and to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Precautions can 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;

* Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. 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, flower pots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities what have mosquito control programs, contact city officials to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitos.

Information about West Nile virus can be found online at the Illinois Department of Public Health's web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.