A dead bird found in Winnebago County has tested positive for West Nile Virus,which is much earlier than last year when the first positive bird in the county was found on September 2, according to a news release from the Winnebago County Health Department.
Warmer temperatures can increase the rate of Culex mosquito production, flight activity and virus replication, which results in an increased number of WNV infected mosquitos.
Based on a nationwide experience in Illinois over the previous 14 years of WNV presence, the peak period for the virus transition, particularly in humans, has been from mid-July to mid-October.
The release says the best way to prevent West Nile virus or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitos around the home and to take the personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel and report.
The virus is transmitted though the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. It is an infection that can cause serious illness, but most people infect with the virus have no signs or symptoms of illness. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Those with mild symptoms may have a fever, headache, body aches, skin rash or swollen lymph glands, but those with serious symptoms such as encephalitis and meningitis should seek medical help right away as possible death can occur. Persons at the highest risk for serious illness are those 50 years of age or older.
In the summer of 2014, Winnebago County Health Department received 135 calls from the general public with questions about the virus and the dead bird reports. Those calls resulted in 36 birds tested, with 3 being confirmed positive. 121 mosquito pools were collected with 3 testing positive with West Nile Virus. No confirmed human case with the virus was reported.