Community Corner

Libertyville Woman Tested Positive For West Nile Virus

Four cases have been reported in Lake County this year, including in Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich and Grayslake.

One more Lake County resident has contracted West Nile Virus, for a total of 5 cases, according to Leslie Piotrowski, communications manager for the Lake County Health Department. A 60-year-old Mundelein man was diagnosed today.

Piotrowski said of the total five cases of West Nile Virus in Lake County, all victims are recovering. She said some were hospitalized and others not. 

Piotrowski said four of the cases occured in August with the fifth in September. The cases have been concentrated in south Lake County. Four of the five cases were age 60 or more.

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"People over the age of 50 more likely to develop serious illness from West Nile Virus," Piotrowski said. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

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Original story

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center reports that four people have tested positive for in Lake County thus far this year. They include a 68-year-old male resident of Buffalo Grove, a 65-year-old female resident of Grayslake, a 42-year-old female resident of Libertyville and a 69-year-old male resident of Lake Zurich.  

In addition to the human cases, 81 pools (batches) of mosquitoes and three birds have tested positive for the virus. For much of the summer, Lake County was tracking ahead of its count for the year 2005, which had the highest number of positive mosquito pools and birds.  That year, 167 mosquito pools, 12 birds, and 11 people tested positive for the illness and one death occurred. The Health Department is continuing to urge people to take precautions against mosquito bites.

"Although it is September, it is just as important to wear insect repellent now as it was during the summer months," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "You can best protect yourself and your family against West Nile virus by following the three R's — reduce your exposure to mosquitoes, repel them by wearing insect repellent, and report areas where mosquitoes typically breed."

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 

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. 

To report dead birds, areas of stagnant water (which are conducive for mosquito breeding), or to obtain more information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis, call the Health Department's West Nile virus hotline at: (847) 377-8300. Please note that the Health Department is no longer picking up dead birds this summer, but is mapping their locations to help determine areas of high West Nile virus activity. It is recommended that dead birds be disposed of by placing the bird in a plastic bag. Either double bag or tightly secure the bag and place it in your regular garbage.

The Health Department actively conducts West Nile virus surveillance throughout the county.  Its surveillance network consists of operating approximately 28 mosquito traps with the assistance of a contractor. Early in the season, the Health Department tests dead birds, as they tend to be the first signs of West Nile virus activity.  Additional inspections of stagnant water areas contribute to determining where the highest levels of West Nile virus may be.  When areas of high West Nile virus activity are found, the Health Department works with local municipalities, townships or the Lake County Forest Preserve District to determine if additional larvicide or adulticide treatments are needed.

While most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness, some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus may occasionally cause serious complications. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, the virus can cause muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death.

More information about WNV can be found on the Department's Web site at:
http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/resources/WNV.htm.

- The Lake County Health Department provided this information.


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