What is West Nile virus (=
WNV)?
West Nile virus can cause West Nile encephalitis which i=
s an inflammation of the brain.
&=
nbsp;
=
How do people get West Nile virus?
The principle route of human infection with West Nile vi=
rus is through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Can you get West Nile vir=
us from another person?
Current research indicates that WNV can be transmitted t=
hrough breast milk, from mother to fetus, through blood transfusion or hum=
an organ transplant.
Are other animals infecte=
d with =
West Nile virus?
To date, the bird population appears to be the most susc=
eptible to the effects of West Nile virus. WNV has been shown to inf=
ect many animals including horses, cats, dogs, bats, squirrels and rabbits=
.
Where can I report dead b=
irds?
The Health Dept. collects a limited number of birds annu=
ally to be tested for WNV. The primary birds that are tested are cro=
ws, blue jays & robins. For eligible birds: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnvsurveillance.ht=
m
=
What mosquitoes carry WNV?
In Illinois, the West Nile virus is primarily associated with Culex species of mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant =
ditches, old tires, clogged gutters, old tin cans and anything that will h=
old water, especially artificial containers.
=
How many mosquitoes are infected with the virus?
In areas where mosquitoes have been found t<=
span
lang=3Den-US style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;language:en-US'=
>o carry the virus, 1% - 2% are infected with WNV. The most common mosquito found in Illinois is the inland fl=
oodwater mosquito, which is not believed to be a significant vector for West Nile virus.
&=
nbsp;
How is the virus transmit=
ted?
Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed=
on infected birds. These infected mosquitoes then can transmit West=
Nile virus to humans and other animals.
If I am =
bitten =
by =
an =
infected =
mosquito, will I become ill?
Even if the mosquito is infected, less than <=
/span>1% of the people who are bitten will get =
severely ill. Approximately 80% of people infected with WNV will show no symptom=
s at all.
=
Who is at risk for the WNV?
Most people exposed to the virus will show no symptoms o=
r mild symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swoll=
en lymph glands. Severe infections are marked by headache, high feve=
r, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle =
weakness, paralysis and rarely death.
=
When do symptoms occur?
Symptoms generally occur 3 to 14 days following the bite of an infected mosquito.
=
What population is most at risk?
Anyone can get the virus, but people over 50 years old o=
r individuals with weakened immune systems have the highest risk of develo=
ping severe illness.
&=
nbsp;
Is there a treatment or v=
accine for West Nile encephalitis?
There is no specific therapy or vaccine for West Nile en=
cephalitis. Contact your physician if you or a family member develop symptoms.=
=
=
Is there a test for West Nile virus?
West Nile virus can be confirmed through a blood sample or through cerebrospinal fluid.
What is the role of the H=
ealth Dept.?
Public Education
Surveillance
· Track cases of human illness
&=
nbsp;
· Collection/submittal of dead birds for analysis
=
· Collection and analysis of Culex mosquitoes for WNV
=
· Remediation of sites that promote mosquito breeding (i.e. dumps, discarded tires, abandoned pools) through Ordinance enforcement.
=
Does the County have a mosquito abatement program?
The County does not have a mosquito abatement pr=
ogram. Check with your township, municipality or property owner’s =
association. The McHenry County Department of Health typically offers free larv=
icide to qualifying governmental agencies to treat catch basin, etc.=
=
=
What can residents do?
=
The first and best defense agai=
nst mosquitoes/mosquito borne illness is to eliminate the places where they breed.
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image321.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image322.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image3231.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image325.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image327.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image349.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image350.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image352.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image365.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image382.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image383.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image384.gif")
<=
img
border=3D0 width=3D64 height=3D24 src=3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/i=
mage8181.gif" v:shapes=3D"_x0000_s1536">![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image823.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1018.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image466.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image3511.jpg")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1054.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1034.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1044.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image963.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1086.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1099.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image1108.gif")
![](3D"file:///C:/D1A8DE39/wnv09_files/image366.gif")
