West Nile Spreads to Lake County

A mosquito pool sampled in Buffalo Grove earlier this month has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Lake County Health Department. 

This is the fist confirmed case of the disease in Lake County in 2011. The Cook County Department of Public Health also found traces of West Nile in Northbrook and Glenview. 

"While the weather may be getting cooler, mosquitoes are still active and will continue to be active until the first hard frost," said Irene Pierce, the Lake County Health Department's Executive Director. "It is important to protect yourself against mosquito bites even into the fall."

Health officials say human West Nile virus cases become more prevalent in the late summer and fall seasons. In 2010, one human and 29 mosquito pools tested positive for the virus in the county.

While there are no recorded cases of West Nile infections in people in Illinois this year, the virus had sickened state residents over the past several years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The first human case occurred in 2002, when the virus struck more than 800 individuals. Flare-ups occurred in 2005 and 2006, when the state recorded 252 cases and 12 deaths and 215 cases and 10 deaths, respectively those years.

West Nile virus is carried by the Culex mosquito, otherwise known as the house mosquito, according to David Zazra, communications manager for the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.  

According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 80 percent of people infected by West Nile Virus do not show any symptoms. Milder symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting, are common among the roughly 20 percent who do show symptoms.

“Let’s say you were bit by a mosquito and then three to 10 days afterward you start feeling like you have a headache or a fever, definitely [you should] go see a doctor,”  David Zazra, communications manager for the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District said.

While the vast majority of infected people show no symptoms, about one in 150 may develop severe symptoms. These can include high fever, disorientation, coma, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC.

When it comes to personal protection, Zazra boils it down to two words: wear repellent.

Recommendations to prevent mosquito bites include:

· Whenever possible, limit outdoor activity at dusk
· Wear light-colored clothing that minimizes exposed skin and provides some protection from mosquito bites
· Make sure door and window screens fit tightly and that all holes are repaired
· 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.

Recommendations to prevent mosquito breeding include:

· Discard old tires, buckets, drums or any water holding containers. Poke holes in tires used as bumpers on docks
· Keep roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris
· Keep trash containers covered
· Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use
· Drain unused swimming pools
· Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water
· Change the water in bird baths and plant urns at least once a week
· Store boats upside down or drain rainwater weekly 

The health department’s West Nile virus hotline number is: (847) 377-8300. Residents are encouraged to report areas of stagnant water where mosquitoes are prone to breed.