Whiteside County Health Department’s “West Nile Virus Surveillance and Prevention” program staff has been collecting and testing mosquitoes for the presence of West Nile virus, since the middle of June 2013. They collect culex mosquitoes, which are the primary vector for transmission of the virus, from heavily populated areas of Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison, and Erie, IL. One of two pools collected from Morrison this week was positive.
“The presence of West Nile virus in the County is not cause for alarm, but it is cause for a renewed awareness and vigilance,” said Gene Johnston, Director of Environmental Health. Personal protection is still the best way to prevent infection.
The culex mosquito is a dusk-to-dawn biter. Therefore, if you are out after dark wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, sox, and a hat. Johnston also recommends using a repellant that contains deet. The higher the % of deet, the longer it works.
It is also important to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes, by eliminating all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. That includes water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, dirty gutters, and any other receptacles. Repair screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Common West Nile virus symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected will not show any symptoms.
In rare cases, severe illness—including meningitis, encephalitis, or death—may occur. People older than 50 are at a higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.