Within the last 9 days, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has reported West Nile virus (WNV) in both a human and a bird. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) now reports a mosquito pool in Crystal Lake tested positive for West Nile virus, the first for the County since 2008. MCDH tested 279 mosquito pools this year (as of September 22); all have been negative for WNV. IDPH indicates 28 counties have reported mosquito batches, birds or people testing positive for West Nile virus.
Although the weather has changed from summer to fall (and back again), the risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost. In some areas of the State, the infection rate for WNV is comparable to 2002 when Illinois lead the country in human cases of WNV. IDPH reports 14 human cases of WNV this year. Residents should continue to use insect repellent when going out of doors in the evening, with long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection. Other tips include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible. Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease. For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.
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