SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced a dead blue jay found July 21 in Bristol (Kendall County) has tested positive for West Nile virus.

Since state and local health departments began surveillance for the mosquito-borne disease on May 1, two humans, 99 birds and 162 mosquito pools in 37 counties have been reported positive for West Nile virus.

The human cases have been identified in Jo Daviess County (a 67-year-old man with West Nile encephalitis) and Jackson County (a 39-year-old man with West Nile fever).

In 2003, Illinois counted 54 human cases of West Nile disease, including one fatality, in 77 of the state's 102 counties reported. In 2002, the state led the nation with 884 human cases and 66 deaths, and West Nile activity was reported in 100 of 102 counties.

Surveillance for West Nile virus includes collecting dead crows and blue jays. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow or blue jay should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird is to be picked up for testing.

Dr. Whitaker said individuals can reduce their risk of West Nile illness 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.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Although illness from West Nile is usually mild and include fever, headache and body aches, serious illness and death are possible, particularly for persons over the age of 50 or persons that are immunosuppressed.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Department's Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or people can call the Department's West Nile virus hotline (866-369-9710) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.