Cases of the Zika Virus are now being reported in the United States and Greenwich is ramping up it preparation through a new task force.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health reported an adolescent was found to have the virus in West Central Illinois. Normally human cases don’t stop popping up until late July or August.
Already the town is recommending that people do all they can to eliminate mosquito breeding sites early on since the virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The first West Nile-infected bird found in IL this year was found in Arcola Township on May 20; the first mosquitoes infected with the disease were found soon after, in Glenview, on May 23. The Departments of Environmental Protection and Health announced Monday that the virus was detected in a mosquito in Altoona, Blair County. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. However, in rare cases, severe illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can occur. The first mosquito batch to test positive for West Nile virus was collected on May 23, 2016, in Glenview.
Less than 1 percent of people infected become seriously ill.
McLean County Health Department spokeswoman Lisa Slater said the best way to avoid West Nile is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
For the 2015 season, 77 human cases were reported in IL, including nine deaths, according to IDPH. Try to keep doors and windows shut. “Cover as much skin as you can and then you’re going to use mosquito repellent”.
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REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Garvey said Iowans should put more thought into the West Nile virus.
