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First 2018
Human Case of West Nile Virus in Lake County
Waukegan, Ill.
— The
Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is reporting the
first human case of West Nile virus in Lake County for 2018. A Waukegan
resident in her 60s became ill in mid-August.
"Take
precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites and West Nile virus,” said
Mark Pfister, the Health Department’s Executive Director. “Even though the
weather is getting cooler, mosquitoes will remain active until the first hard frost.”
To date, 61 pools or batches of mosquitoes and two birds have tested
positive for West Nile virus in 2018. Since 2002, there have been 66 human
cases of West Nile virus in Lake County, as well as two confirmed deaths.
Follow the “4
Ds of Defense” to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes:
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Drain: Drain standing water from items around your home, yard, and
business.
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Defend: When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET,
picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, or IR3535 and reapply
according to label directions.
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Dawn
and Dusk: Protect yourself all day and night, and wear
repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
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Dress: Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes when outdoors to
cover your skin.
Most
people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness. However, some
may become ill usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle ache. In some
individuals, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even
death, can occur. People older than 50 and individuals with weakened immune
systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.
Find
more prevention tips and information on West Nile virus at www.FightTheBiteNow.com.
Residents can also call the Health Department’s West Nile hotline to
report areas of stagnant water, report locations of dead birds, and obtain more
information on the signs and symptoms of West Nile virus. The West Nile hotline number is (847) 377-8300.
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