West Nile virus still a threat in fall

A 56-year-old man from Harvard has contracted the fifth case of West Nile virus in McHenry County. McHenry County Department of Health said the Harvard resident became ill on Sept. 26 with West Nile fever but was not hospitalized.

Earlier cases of West Nile viral meningitis were found in Marengo and Harvard.

MCDH recorded six cases of West Nile virus in 2006.

Statewide, West Nile virus cases are still lower this year, with 68 cases, than the last two years. There were 215 cases in 2006 and 252 cases in 2005.

The incubation period is typically 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.

Although the weather has turned cooler, the threat of mosquito-borne West Nile virus will last until the first hard frost.

Take these steps to reduce your risk of contracting 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 mosquito repellent, and wear protective clothing (long-sleeves, long pants and socks) during evening and early morning

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

• Don't allow mosquitoes to breed around your home. Eliminate all sources of standing water 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.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the MCDH Web site, www.mcdh.info, and at the Illinois Department of Public Health's Web site www.idph.state.il.us/ envhealth/wnv.htm.