Additional human cases of West Nile virus reported

Mon September 13, 2010

DUPAGE COUNTY--The DuPage County Health Department is now reporting a total of four human West Nile virus cases in DuPage County in 2010. The human cases include:

·         Male in his 70s from Elmhurst with onset of illness in late August.

·         Female in her 60s from Lombard with onset of illness in late August.

·         Female in her 80s from Oak Brook with onset of illness late in August.

·         Female in her 50s from Carol Stream with onset of illness in early August.


Although we are seeing cooler temperatures as we head into fall, the threat of West Nile virus still exists.  Residents should continue to use insect repellent when outdoors in the evening.  Dr. Linn Haramis, Manager of the Vector Control Program with the Illinois Department of Public Health says, "We typically signal the end of the West Nile virus season with the first couple of hard frosts." Haramis praised the DuPage County Health Department for "an excellent surveillance effort this summer."


So far this year, human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in DuPage, Kane and Cook counties.


To check your town for West Nile virus updates and get additional information, click on the Health Department's surveillance map at www.dupagehealth.org/wnv-map

DuPage County residents with questions about West Nile virus may call the Health Department at (630) 682-7400.

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 some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. 

Only about two people in 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible.


The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.  Precautions 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.  Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

·         Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.  Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.  Try to 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, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.  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.

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