(OLNEY) The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced this past Friday that West Nile Virus has been detected in Olney and Richland County. As part of the agency’s West Nile Virus surveillance program, two traps were set in Olney, and subsequently both came back as positive for the Virus, although there has been no indication of increased mosquito activity. While the surveillance continues by the IDPH, others involved includes local health officials, physicians, and healthcare facilities, the list of animals and insects that can potentially carry the Virus includes horses, mosquitoes, dead crows, robins, and blue jays. With those at the highest risk for serious illness are those 60 years of age or older with symptoms usually occurring from 3 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, mild cases of West Nile infections may cause a slight fever or headache as more severe cases are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever with head and body aches, disorientation, and convulsions. Officials say the best way to prevent the West Nile Virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods. The IDPH urges the public to “Fight the Bite” and take steps by practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report :
- REDUCE – make sure doors & windows have tight-fitting screens – eliminate or refresh each week, all sources of standing water, where mosquitoes can breed, such as bird baths, small ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, or any other containers that hold water
- REPEL – when outdoors, wear clothing that covers most skin and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET – consult a physician for children under 3 years old
- REPORT – report locations where water is sitting stagnant for more than a week
For more information or details about the Virus, go to the dph.illinois.gov website.