Palatine man infected with West Nile
Two men, including a Palatine resident in his 80s, are the first reported human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois this year, according to health officials.
The Cook County Department of Public Health reported the man became ill earlier this month. He's hospitalized but recovering, spokesman Sean McDermott said.
The other man is from downstate Marion.
“West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes and birds continues to increase across Illinois, which means a higher risk of people contracting the virus,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon Arnold said in a release. “People should protect themselves against mosquitoes by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of any standing water around their homes.”
It was reported last month that five suburban Cook County pools of standing water breeding mosquitoes had tested positive for West Nile virus. They were located in Glenview, Norridge, Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park.
So far this year, 12 counties have reported mosquito batches or birds testing positive for the virus including Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties, the release stated.
In 2010, 61 human cases of West Nile disease were reported in Illinois, the first coming on Aug. 31. Thirty of the state's 102 counties were found to have a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but about 20 percent may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms are typically mild and include fever, headache and body aches. Serious illness such as encephalitis, meningitis and death are possible.
People older than 50 have the highest risk of severe disease.
Officials say the best way to prevent West Nile is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions. They include:
Ÿ Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
Ÿ When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
Ÿ Make sure doors and windows have tightfitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
Ÿ 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.
Ÿ 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.
For more information, visit idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.