October 27, 2005 |
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THREE NEW CASES OF WEST NILE DISEASE REPORTED Human case total stands at 240 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today announced three additional cases of West Nile virus disease have been identified in the state, bringing to 240 the number of cases reported so far this year in Illinois. The new cases are:
The state’s other cases of West Nile disease have been from Chicago (33), suburban Cook County (97), and the counties of Carroll (1), Christian (1), DuPage (45), Kane (16), Kankakee (3), Kendall (3), Lake (11), LaSalle (1), Marshall (1), McHenry (3), McLean (3), Peoria (7), Sangamon (1), Schuyler (1), St. Clair (1), Will (7) and Winnebago (2). Ten West Nile patients have died this year. West Nile virus 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. Illness from West Nile disease is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as neuroinvasive disease, and death are possible. Neuroinvasive disease is the most severe form of the West Nile virus and affects a person’s nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. In addition to human cases, a total of 227 birds, 2,458 mosquito samples, 12 horses and one llama from 49 counties have tested positive for West Nile virus since surveillance for the mosquito-borne disease began on May 1. In 2004, Illinois recorded 60 human cases of West Nile disease, including four deaths, and in 2003, there were 54 human cases, including one death. The state led the nation in 2002 with 884 human cases of West Nile disease and 67 deaths. Because West Nile virus activity in Culex mosquitoes increases during hot weather, personal protection against mosquitoes is particularly important during August and September. Dr. Whitaker said individuals can reduce their risk of West Nile illness and other mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions:
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 West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Illinois Department
of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments |