Warmer weather following the showers is going to increase the threat of West Nile Virus in our area. The warning comes from the Vermilion County Health Department which is encouraging citizens to try to avoid mosquito bites. Health Department Administrator Douglas Toole (shown above) outlined ways you can help…
{AUDIO: ‘’Eliminate those sort of hazards – those sources of standing water that are going to support mosquito breeding. We’re getting a lot of rain so it’s going to be standing there. But those bird baths, the kids swimming pools, those flower pots, old tires – things that are holding water. That’s where the mosquitoes are going to be breeding on your property. So get rid of those things and you’ll have fewer mosquitoes around.’’}
Health officials have issued other suggestions, too, to help reduce your risk of getting the virus. They say 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, picaridin or oil of eucalyplus.
Toole also says the Vermilion County Health Department is again collecting dead birds to be tested for West Nile Virus…
{AUDIO: ‘’We are only allowed to send in a limited number of them for testing. It’s only a handful – five or six per year. Our top priorities are going to be Crows and Blue Jays. Our second priority is going to be Finches, Sparrows and Robins. We’re looking for ones that are fairly recently dead – no signs of decomposition. No signs that something else other than West Nile Virus killed it.’’}
In 2020 there were 56 human cases of West Nile Virus reported in Illinois.
Toole outlined the symptoms of West Nile Virus….
{AUDIO: ‘’Most people have no symptoms or are just going to have a mild illness. We’re talking a headache – maybe a low-grade fever. They’re going to fully recover. But in some individuals, especially those over the age of 50 or with other health problems, it can get more serious. They may end up with a rash, with a severe headache, a high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness.’’
The Vermilion County Health Department collected over 100 mosquitoes from traps last year. Two samples were found to be positive for the virus. The Department also submitted five birds for state testing and two of those tested positive, according to Daniel Balgeman, the Department’s Director of Environmental Health.
