West Nile Virus Activity And Response Plans

Following the State Health Department’s recent announcement of record levels of West Nile virus activity nationwide and current mosquito activity in Illinois, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) details its plans in response to increased West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance activity. 

 WNV flyers and insect repellent wipes are available to the public at MCDH’s Woodstock and Crystal Lake locations.

Ongoing activities include –

Tracking of WNV activity

Ongoing and year-round WNV illness reporting from all counties through INEDSS (Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System)

Surveillance efforts

Latest report (8/28/12) for McHenry County: 190 mosquito batches (21 positive) and 25 birds tested (4 birds positive) for WNV; no human cases

Human surveillance of those reporting West Nile symptoms

State-wide, Illinois Department of Public Health has reported 40 counties with WNV activity, 48 human cases (including 2 deaths), 2753 positive mosquito batches, 69 positive birds

Education efforts

For the public – distributed information at community events; visit senior living facilities to distribute flyer/insect repellent wipes

For health care professionals (school nurses, physicians, hospitals, labs) – e-newsletter detailing symptoms, risk factors; posting to MCDH’s Communicable Disease website; presentations with Continuing Medical Education credits

Increased resident education efforts in those areas with WNV positive human cases, mosquitoes and birds

 MCDH reminds County residents that the presence of WNV is widespread in the McHenry County environment so the risk of WNV is elevated and may remain so until the first hard frost. Therefore, County residents should concentrate on personal protection and are urged to be cautious, but not curtail their outdoor activities.  Many factors may be responsible including weather conditions (mild winter, early spring, hot/dry summer), an increase in the number of mosquitoes this year, and human behavior.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible.  Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.  Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease but everyone is at risk. 

The best way to prevent WNV is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions. 

Empty standing water from containers (flower pots, gutters, bird baths) around the house

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens

Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk, dawn);

Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus;

Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection

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For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.