SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The total number of West Nile disease cases in Illinois this year climbed to 50 today with the laboratory confirmation that two suburban Cook County men have the mosquito-borne disease.

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, said the most recent cases were:

• a 57-year-old man, who became ill Sept. 16, was hospitalized with West Nile encephalitis and has since been released; and
• a 23-year-old man, who became ill Sept. 13, was hospitalized with West Nile fever and has since been released.

The state's West Nile disease cases this year, which include one death - a 78-year-old woman from suburban Cook County - are from the city of Chicago (4), suburban Cook County (16), DuPage County (3), Madison County (2), Piatt (3), Sangamon County (4), Will County (3) and one each from Bureau, Champaign, DeKalb, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Macoupin, McDonough, McLean, Richland, Rock Island, St. Clair, Vermilion, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.

In 2002, Illinois had the most West Nile disease cases in the nation with 884 and 66 and, as of this date last year, the state had reported 727 West Nile human cases and 47 deaths.

Although cooler temperatures have been reported throughout the state, Dr. Whitaker reminded Illinoisans it was still important to follow simple, common sense precautions to reduce the chance of mosquito bites until their area experiences a sustained hard freeze (27 degrees F or less for several hours). Until a hard freeze kills the mosquitoes, some will remain and may bite during warm fall daylight hours, especially in areas near dense vegetation where they hide.

Dr. Whitaker said individuals can reduce their risk of West Nile disease and other mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• 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.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Department's Web site http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or by calling the Department's West Nile virus hotline at 1-866-369-9710.