Officials say only time will tell

Summer has finally hit Southern Illinois, bringing with it sunny days, high temperatures and, unfortunately, mosquitoes. So break out the insect repellant and citronella candles, because the threat of West Nile virus has returned.

Last year, the virus caused a major scare as it spread throughout the state infecting 877 people and killing 64.

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Kevin Gillespie, director of environmental health for the Jackson County Health Department, said while no birds or mosquitoes have tested positive in Jackson County this year, three counties in Illinois – Cook, Henderson and Kankakee – have each found a crow with the virus. So far, 19 states have had verified avian, animal or mosquito infections during 2003, but no human cases have been reported.

Linn Haramis, an entomologist at the Illinois State Health Department, said surveillance is still being carried out to determine the virus’ state of activity.

“There’s just no way to predict whether this year will be as bad as last,” Haramis said.

Gillespie said surveillance taking place in Jackson County includes testing trapped mosquitoes and dead birds, mainly crows and blue jays.

“It’s important that we have a surveillance program to track what’s going on,” Gillespie said.

The West Nile virus originated in the West Nile District of Uganda in 1937 and has since slowly spread around the world. The virus became recognized as a cause of severe human meningoencephalitis, inflammation of the spinal cord and brain, in elderly patients during an outbreak in Israel in 1957. In 1999, North America had its first taste of the virus with encephalitis reported in humans and horses.

The West Nile virus can be contracted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect people, horses, many types of birds and some other animals.

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Most people who become infected with the virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, to people that are elderly or those that have low immune systems, the West Nile virus infection can result in severe and sometimes fatal illnesses.

Antibiotics are not effective against the viral infection, and a specific treatment has not been developed.

Because of the prominence of the virus in Illinois last year, the state received $400,506 from the federal government to combat it. Haramis said that this year the state health department received a Laboratory Improvement Grant, which is going to be used for testing in laboratories to learn more about the spread of the virus and how to fight it.

The grant does not give money to help control the mosquito population, but officials hope that citizens will help join that fight.

“The treatment of their production sites may be the best possible way to combat the mosquito population,” Haramis said.

Haramis and Gillespie agree citizens could actively participate in taking care of the mosquitoes before they are mature. By removing standing water in places such as inside old tires and ditches, some of the proper breeding grounds for the virus carrying insects will be taken away.

“I encourage people to do what they can to prevent a large mosquito population,” Gillespie said.

As for the remaining population of mosquitoes, Haramis and Gillespie both suggest that citizens avoid being outside during dawn, early evening and dusk, when most mosquitoes come out to feed. They also suggested that people wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outside.

The mosquitoes are also known to bite through clothing, so it is recommended by health officials that bug repellant is also sprayed over clothes. Checking screens and other home openings is another preventive measure that can be taken to avoid mosquito bites.

Individuals are also encouraged to play an important role in tracking the West Nile virus by reporting any dead crows or blue jays that they see in their neighborhood. Dead birds in an area may mean that the virus is circulating between the birds and the mosquitoes in that area.

More than 110 species of birds have been identified as being infected with the West Nile virus. Infected birds, particularly crows and blue jays, can die or become ill. However, most infected birds do survive.

“There have not been as many birds early in the season so far, but there is no way to tell how bad the spread of the virus will be,” Gillespie said.

Reporter Jacey Cain can be reached at [email protected]