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The Environmental Health Division of the Henry and Stark County Departments of Health announces that she has just received her first positive test for West Nile virus in a batch of mosquitoes found in Henry County
. The county's health departments are announcing that they have just received their first positive test for West Nile virus in a batch of mosquitoes found in Henry County.
West Nile virus surveillance in Illinois includes laboratory tests on mosquito lots, dead crows, blue jays, blackbirds and other perched birds, as well as on horses and humans with symptoms resembling West Nile virus.
West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito Culex pipiens, commonly called domestic mosquito, which contracted the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. In rare cases, a serious illness, including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, may occur. People over the age of 60 and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting a serious West Nile virus disease.
This is the first evidence of the virus in Henry County for this year. Dorothy David, director of environmental health of the Department of Health, notes, "The fact that West Nile virus encephalitis is now found in Henry County is not alarming because our advice to the public remain the same – to minimize mosquito exposure. eliminate breeding sites. "
The Department of Health advises that until the first freeze is the time to take the following protective measures:
1) Protect yourself and your children from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes bite the most aggressively at dusk and dawn, therefore, cover the exposed skin and use an insect repellent if you have to be out during these periods.Also make sure all doors and windows are in good condition. to protect you during sleep.
2) Plan your end of summer activities (example: last camps) on the cooler or windier weekends.Avoid quiet, wet, dark or light periods. Dawn.
3) Mosquitoes are still breeding, so continue to remove any stagnant water on your property until the first freeze. 19659003] For more information on monitoring For the West For Nile virus, contact the Environmental Health Division of the Department of Health at (309) 852-7266 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, find us on Facebook at Henry or Stark Health Departments. County on Twitter.
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