BY ANDREW WALTERS SVN REPORTER awalters@svnmail.com
STERLING - A dead crow found near Lincoln Park has tested positive for West Nile virus, the Whiteside County Health Department announced Friday.
The crow was the third bird sent in for testing this summer, but "the first bird that we sent in that was positive," said Gene Johnston, the department's director of environmental health.
The crow, found Aug. 16, was bitten by a Culex mosquito, West Nile's primary carrier.
"August and September tend to be the peak season for West Nile Virus activity," Johnston said.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so, especially given the recent rains, residents should empty flower pots or trays, bird baths barrels and clogged roof gutters.
Johnston also recommends that people who venture out between dusk and dawn wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and use insect repellents that include DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
"Regardless of the effort to eliminate or treat stagnant water, mosquitoes will continue to reproduce. That is why personal protection is so important," Johnston said.
Most people who contract West Nile virus will have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Only about two of 10 who are infected will experience any illness, which usually is mild and includes fever, headache and body aches.
Serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible, though. People 50 and older have the highest risk of severe symptoms.
So far this year, 11 Illinois residents have developed cases of West Nile virus, including a 77-year-old Polo man who died of encephalitis on Aug. 8, the state Department of Public Health reported.
Mosquito samples, birds or humans have tested positive in 18 counties: Whiteside, Cook, DuPage, Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Kane, Lake, Lee, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Ogle, Pike, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair and Tazewell.
Reach Andrew Walters at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 522.
