Two West Nile virus cases confirmed in Lake County

Two human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Lake County, health officials announced Tuesday.

According to the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, the cases involving a Round Lake resident and a Waukegan resident are the first confirmed in the county this year. There have been other confirmed human cases in Cook, Kane and Kendall counties, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Officials said two confirmed West Nile cases were logged in Lake County in 2014.

In addition to the confirmed infections, 57 pools or batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile this year. Health department officials are stressing people must take precautions against mosquito bites.

"The season for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus started out slow, but is at its peak now and will continue until the first hard freeze occurs," said health department Executive Director Tony Beltran. "We encourage people to stay active outdoors, but please remember to wear insect repellent and take other precautions to avoid mosquito bites."

Officials said much can be done to prevent mosquito breeding, such as discarding old tires, buckets, drums or any water containers. Other preventive measures include keeping trash containers covered, draining unused swimming pools and changing water in bird baths and plant urns at least weekly.

Tips to prevent mosquito bites include limiting outdoor activity at dusk, wearing light-colored clothing that minimizes exposed skin, and applying insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 353.

West Nile virus occasionally causes serious complications, health department officials said. It can cause muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or even death, in particularly for seniors.

The health department's West Nile virus hotline is (847) 377-8300.