County sees first case of West Nile virus

McHenry County Department of Health reports its first case of human West Nile virus this year in a 34-year-old Lake in the Hills man.

Although the Culex mosquito which carries the virus typically breeds in hotter and drier weather conditions, the month of August has been anything but.

State-wide, human West Nile virus cases for the year total 14, far fewer than the 215 cases in 2006 and 252 cases in 2005.

DuPage County reported its first human West Nile virus case in June of this year.

The incubation period for West Nile is 3 to 12 days.

Most people with the virus have mild symptoms and include fever, headache and body aches. More serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible.

The 243 mosquito pools tested so far this year have not been positive for West Nile although the County's first positive bird -- a blue jay -- was confirmed Aug. 24.

Health officials continue to urge residents to take precautions as the risk of mosquito-borne West Nile virus lasts until the first hard frost.

The following steps can reduce your risk of contracting the West Nile virus:

• Limit your time outdoors during peak mosquito biting hours which are from dusk to dawn.

• If you must be outside, take extra care to use repellent and such protective clothing as long-sleeves, long pants and socks in the evening and early morning.

• Spray clothes with repellent containing DEET for extra protection. Do not apply directly to skin.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water around your home for mosquitoes to breed such as bird baths, old tires, garbage cans, flower pot trays, wheelbarrows.

• Keep mosquitoes outside by having tight-fitting screens on both windows and doors.

For more about West Nile virus visit the MCDH Web site at www.mcdh.info or the Illinois Deptartment of Public Health's Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.