Cases of West Nile Virus in Chicago's Northern Suburbs
The CDC announced that this is the worst year for West Nile Virus since it started tracking in 1999. Check out how your area is faring in our interactive map of diagnosed cases in humans and mosquitoes.
View West Nile Virus in Chicago Suburbs in a larger map
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that reported cases of West Nile Virus are at an all time high.
“The 1118 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999,” the CDC reported.
While Illinois does not rank among the top five states in terms of cases, there have been 21 reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Illinois as of Aug. 21. Those cases have been clustered in the Chicago area, with 13 human cases in Cook County and one in Lake County.
In the map above, Patch charted both cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in both humans and mosquitoes, according to our reporting. You can read the coverage from the western part of the area here. For coverage closer to the lake, click here.
The CDC lists the following as symptoms of West Nile Virus:
- Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
- Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
- No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
And here are the organization’s recommendations on how to avoid getting sick in the first place:
- When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
- Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
- Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
Brian
9:07 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
We can get that news on the Chicago sites. I also feel that this kind of story should be here and if you are driven to fear that is your own problem. With a small child it is nice to know these things are happening to take precautions for him.
Stephanie Price
9:41 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
What I think is surprising is how many cases of West Nile virus have been reported when I personally haven't seen any mosquitoes.
Tara May Tesimu
3:43 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
My sister and I were talking about the same thing, Stephanie. It's been a low-mosquito season, I feel like. How odd.
Chris B
9:47 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
@Doug: While I agree the murder rate is obscene, I have seen and heard plenty of coverage in the newspaper and on radio/TV. ... The fact West Nile cases have soared to an all-time high is, in my opinion, a worthy story. Plus, the above story serves as a public-service aide, letting the readers know about the virus and its symptoms as well as how to prevent it. Here's a tip: If the topic in a headline doesn't interest you, don't click on the story and read it, then complain about it.
John Welch Fitness
12:30 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
It's the media along with all of the major industries...pharma, chemica, medica...and let's not forget about a government that serves the corporation over the people.
Vicki
1:14 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
@ John - Again....."Here's a tip: If the topic in a headline doesn't interest you, don't click on the story and read it, then complain about it." Stop looking for industries/companies to blame for your general unhappiness in life.
John Welch Fitness
2:04 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
So, your suggesting I sit quietly and not say a word when injustices occur? That makes zero sense.
RB
3:14 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Instances of West Nile this low will be a thing of the past. Similar to other indications of Global Warming, many of you will wish you had paid attention to these little signs of big problems ahead. Mr. Obama acknowledges man made enhancement of Global Warming while Mr. Ryan/Romney spin what is rape and hope to get their campaign back on topic. Mr. Ryan has an almost 100% record of voting against the environment. Romney? Who knows?
AK10
7:06 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
After visiting a friend who just left a local hospital after four weeks of diagnosis and treatment for WNV and faces cognitive and physical rehab , I say you are entitled to your opinion but I will keep the bug spray near the door for everyone in my family.
Michelle Terlecki
8:46 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
My fil is in ICU as we speak in grave condition. My husband and his family are forced to make the decision that I hope I never have to make- end life support or pray that God gives him one more chance. I will also keep the bugs pray by the back door.
Mark Bushey
11:04 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
The Patch is meant to be sort of an online community for each town. Where we can read about what's going kn in our backyards. It separates itself from most of the Chicago media because each Patch is targeted for the town who's name is in the title. We don't come here to read about national or even Chicago news. That's what the Tribune or Sun Times is for. There is nothing wrong in informing the public about the virus, or even better, informing them how to help prevent as many mosquitoes as possible from being near your home.
Chris B
2:24 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
@Doug: All class. ... You have brought up good and valid points, but your delivery leaves a lot to be desired. ... Keep on fighting your fight, whomever it is against.
Riverwoods
7:08 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
The benefit of reporting local cases of WNV is so that people who have symptoms can get help before it becomes serious. Most cases are sub-clinical but those that aren't can become critical quickly. Getting attention if flu-like symptoms turn to increasingly severe headache/neck ache is more likely (and life-saving) if the local media has reported active WNV in the area than not.
John Welch Fitness
7:27 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
The degree of media coverage across the country far exceeds the impact of the virus. This is a fear-based tactic designed to get leverage for aerial spraying. Following the money never fails.
Brian
11:30 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
@ Doug: You keep bringing up free speech and if we don't like it then too bad. Why does everyone twist the free speech argument? No one is stopping you from commenting. Your posts and speech is still free. But on that token, anyone here is allowed to respond when they don't like what you are saying or disagree. That is also freedom of speech. It doesn't just apply to people wishing to offend others but also to those defending or offending back.
Also, what has been your grand results of hijacking this thread? You've taken an informative story about a potentially life threatening disease possibly spreading in Lake County and told us essentially that if we are worried then we bought into the media's fear based industry. If the story was about the people murdered in Chicago last night, how would that change your rhetoric about fear based stories? Then the story is how we need to be afraid that people will shoot us.
Instead of trying to write your own article in the comments, why not post something beneficial. Don't think the threat of WNV is that bad? Tell us why. This is a community site that writes articles that might be of concern to residents, especially those of us with young children.
Brian
2:07 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Yes, but my odds of that are slim because I am informed on how it is transmitted and ways to keep from getting it. Just as this article is here to keep us informed on how to prevent contracting WNV.
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