Community Corner

DuPage Health Department Warns Public About West Nile Virus Risk

The summer's extreme heat and dry weather are producing more culex mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus.

The DuPage County Health Department is cautioning DuPage County residents that current weather conditions are putting the county at high risk for West Nile virus infections.

. At the time, officials said on the village website that the occurrence in May was "earlier than anticipated."

Patch talked to local infectious disease experts about how someone can know if they have been infected with the West Nile Virus. To read about .

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State public health officials report that the dry conditions have eliminated "floodwater mosquitoes," which are very rarely infected with West Nile virus. In contrast, the extreme heat and dry weather are producing more culex mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus, which breed in street catch basins (storm drains) and similar locations. Also, the high temperature accelerates West Nile virus multiplication in mosquitoes and mosquitoes feeding on birds.

The hot summer temperatures, which are expected to continue, increase culex mosquitoes, which in turn increases the proportion of birds infected with the virus and the risk of human infection.

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DuPage County is among 26 Illinois counties reporting positive mosquito tests for the virus so far this summer, with positive tests coming earlier than normal. The Health Department reports 89 positive mosquito tests this year in DuPage County compared to only one positive test at this same time in 2011. No human cases have been reported in DuPage County so far.

DuPage County residents who want to track West Nile virus may visit http://maps.google.comdchdsurveillancemap. Drag the map until you see DuPage County. This map of mosquito traps throughout the county will be updated as mosquitoes test positive for the virus.

The Health Department is collecting freshly dead birds (such as crows or blue jays) for testing. The birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma. To report a dead bird, call 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 is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Individuals older than 50 have the highest risk of severe disease.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus 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:

  • Reduce exposure. Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
  • 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 where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
  • Repel. 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.

For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook

*Information in this article has been provided by the DuPage County Health Department.


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