An early report developing is that an Arlington Heights man has tested positive with the mosquito-borne illness West Nile Virus (WNV). The man, in his 70s became ill Thursday, September 12, 2013 and was unresponsive by early Saturday morning. He was transferred from a general medical floor to an Intensive Care Unit for observation and life support at the same local hospital. Positive test results for WNV were reported late Wednesday September 18, 2013.
Most people are infected by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals.
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The news from Arlington Heights comes just days after The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported on September 16, 2013 the first death of a person with West Nile virus in northern Illinois for 2013. IDPH reported that the middle-aged man from suburban Cook County became ill with West Nile virus in late August and had died.
The Cook County man is the second West Nile virus related death in Illinois for 2013. IDPH reported the death of a Logan County resident last week.
“The first West Nile virus related deaths this year occurred later than we typically see,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “Even with the cooler temperatures, until the first hard freeze, you still need to protect yourself against mosquito bites and possible West Nile virus infection.”
To date, West Nile virus positive birds, mosquitoes and/or human cases have been reported in 59 counties. The first human case this year was reported on August 21st, in a McHenry County woman in her 50s. Last year the first death was reported in August.
For the 2012 season, IDPH reported the second highest number of West Nile virus human cases in state history with 290 residents and 12 deaths. So far this year, 10 human cases have been reported.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common West Nile virus symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.
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 practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel and report.
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.
REPORT – In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report dead birds and 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 on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm. Surveillance numbers are updated every Wednesday afternoon http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnvsurveillance13.htm.
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