SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health today reported that dead birds found in Iroquois, Jersey, Logan, Macon and Richland counties have tested positive for West Nile virus.

A total of 218 birds, 105 mosquito batches and three horses in 53 Illinois counties have tested positive this year for West Nile virus since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1. On Tuesday, the state's first human case of West Nile disease was announced. The 22-year-old temporary resident of Cook County tested positive for West Nile fever after reporting minor symptoms – fever, achy muscles and a slight rash. She was never hospitalized and has recovered.

A complete listing of the positive birds and mosquito batches identified so far in Illinois, by county, is available on the Department's Web site at < www.idph.state.il.us >. Go to the West Nile virus page and select "2002" under surveillance.

The Culex or house mosquito, which can carry West Nile virus or St. Louis encephalitis virus, breeds in warm, stagnant water and begins to increase in numbers early in the summer. Hot, humid weather conditions in recent weeks have been ideal for breeding the Culex mosquito and, as a result, there has been a jump in the number of WNV positive mosquito batches and birds.

Hospitals and infectious disease physicians have been notified of the increase in detection of birds with West Nile virus and reminded to order tests for arbovirus infections for patients with appropriate symptoms. Blood samples from all persons diagnosed with encephalitis and aseptic meningitis are being tested to determine if the diseases were caused by mosquitoes.

Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, said identification of positive birds, mosquito batches and horses is a reminder to citizens that the virus is present throughout the state and the following precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of any mosquito-borne disease:

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and early evening. If outdoors at these times, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light colored clothing is best.
• Use mosquito repellent containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors, applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellent label. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.
• Eliminate stagnant water in bird baths, ponds, flower pots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.
• Check for and repair any tears in residential screens, including porches and patios.

In 2002, West Nile virus activity has been detected in at least 34 states, including Illinois, and Washington, D.C., in the United States and three Canadian provinces. In addition to Illinois, there have been human cases of West Nile encephalitis confirmed this year in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Infections can be mild and include fever, headache and body aches, or severe and marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and, rarely, death. While everyone is at risk of West Nile disease, those at highest risk are persons 50 years of age or older.

West Nile virus was first confirmed in Illinois in September 2001 when two dead crows from the Chicago metropolitan area tested positive for the virus.

2002 West Nile virus surveillance information can be found on the Department's Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnvsurveillance_data_02.htm.