First Human Case of West Nile Virus reported in Illinois for 2008

Mary C. Johns, Editor-in-Chief

A woman in her 20s with an onset of illness in late July 2008 was found to have obtained the West Nile virus, making her the first human case of the deadly infectious disease in the State of Illinois this year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health on August 11, 2008.

IDPH confirmed the case reported to them by the Kane County Health Department, “through laboratory tests,” but couldn’t pinpoint where exactly the woman obtained the virus since she reportedly recently traveled to various place, in which the infection could have been acquired in Illinois or in other States, they stated in a press release that day.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.

In which, most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Only about two people in 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness from West Nile which is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body ache. But serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible they added.

IDPH stated that the best way to prevent getting the virus 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.

A few of their precautions for lowering the chances of a person contacting the West Nile virus and prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present included, avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Wearing shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and applying insect repellent that include DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to label instructions when outdoors. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants. 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 that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

Kane County is one of 12 counties IDHS said are reporting mosquitoes, birds and/or homes that have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The other counties include, Adams, Cook, DuPage, Jackson, Lee, Macon, Madison, St. Clair, Tazewell, Whiteside and Winnebago.

Last year, a total of 101 human cases of the West Nile disease, including 4 deaths, stemmed from 46 of the 102 counties found to have a bird, mosquito, horse or human case of the virus, according to the public health officials.

Surveillance for the virus in Illinois began on May 1, 2008 and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with the virus symptoms.

IDHS also urged citizens who observe these types of perching birds that appear to be sick or dying to contact their local health department as soon as possible, which will determined if the bird is to be picked up for testing.

IDHS recommendations about mosquito control after flooding may be found at this site Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health's website.