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Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus are in Northern Illinois

State health officials, who have been testing for these disease-carrying mosquitoes, offer safety tips.

It’s official: Mosquitoes to test positive for the West Nile virus have been discovered in northern Illinois, according to information released by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“We are starting to see West Nile virus in mosquitoes and birds, and when temperatures rise and conditions dry up, we typically see increased reports of West Nile virus,” Dr. Damon T. Arnold, IDPH director, said June 30. Testing began May 1.

Health department staff collected the positive mosquito samples in northern Illinois June 28; one in Evergreen Park, Cook County, and the other in Oswego, Kendall County. The first disease-carrying mosquitoes this year were collected June 10 in Tazewell County and the first West Nile virus positive birds were collected June 8 in LaSalle County.

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Only one in 10 people who are infected with West Nile after being bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito will ever show symptoms. And for those who do become ill after being infected, most will only experience mild fever, or what Kane County Health Department Communications Coordinator Tom Schlueter described as a "summer cold." However, despite the low rate of infection and symptom development, Schlueter said northern Illinois residents should stay on their toes.

Individuals over the age of 50 and those already battling chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease are most susceptible to the virus. Symptoms, if any present, can begin to emerge three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Anyone who believes he or she is suffering from West Nile, and the symptoms are severe, should seek medical attention.  

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“This could be very serious,” Schlueter said. “In 2002 there were 884 cases (reported) and 67 people died in Illinois. It can be particularly serious for older folks and some people with pre-existing conditions.”

2002 was a bit of an anomaly for Illinois. According to records kept by IDPH, the next year closest as far as the number of West Nile cases reported was 2005, when 252 people were identified as being infected. Most years the number of reported cases doesn’t break 100. In 2010, there were only 61 human cases. 

So how bad will this year’s West Nile outbreak be? Mosquito control and ecology expert Dr. Rich Lampman, a research scientist with the University of Illinois’ Natural History Survey, says predicting just how many people might be infected is as difficult as predicting the weather.

“I am in the same situation as a meteorologist,” Lampman said. “If you can predict the weather you can predict the intensity of transmission. If we have temperatures above average preceded by above average rain fall, we have a pretty good chance of seeing quite a few cases.”

Lampman also says that while West Nile cases are usually isolated, people should still protect themselves from becoming infected.

“I say there is something to worry about. West Nile has taught us that it is unpredictable because we don’t know exactly what the consequences are,” Lampman said. “At first a lot of these people were thought to have a mild fever, but after a closer look there have been neurological effects in a small percentage.”

IDPH and most counties in Illinois, including DuPage, Kane and Cook, have mosquito abatement districts and surveillance protocols to monitor West Nile Virus occurrences in birds, horses, mosquitoes and humans. Efforts have been underway to combat the spread of West Nile by attacking the type of mosquito that transmits the virus. 

Clarke, a global environmental products company headquartered in Roselle, provides some type of insect abatement services La Grange, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, Elmhurst, Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Downers Grove, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles. Those services vary, but include efforts to reduce the nuisance of both the more common northern house mosquito and the West Nile-carrying culex mosquito.

“We are ramping up now in spades,” said Laura McGowan, Clarke public relations director. “This is a very challenging time for us, but we are now in the execution phase.”

Nationally recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for the development of their environmentally safer larvicide Natular, Clarke spent eight years perfecting its product that prevents mosquitoes from growing into full adults.

“If you can control a mosquito on Memorial Day, you can control 1 million mosquitoes by Labor Day,” McGowan said. “Each mosquito produces 300 to 400 eggs per week. Natular ensures all those mosquitoes don’t grow into adulthood.”

To reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, health experts advise residents remain diligent around their homes. People are asked to clean out gutters, bird baths, small children's pools, tarps or any other place that could house standing water that could collect decaying organic matter like leaves and grass.

People of all ages are urged to reduce the amount of time they are outdoors during the early evening and early morning hours.

“July and August are the peak months, when generally the weather is hot and dry,” said Dave Hass, public information officer for the Kane County Health Department. “We urge people to cover themselves when outside between dusk and dawn, use repellent to keep mosquitoes away and drain any standing water around their homes.”

State health officials recommend sprays that contain DEET or alternatives picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535.

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