Sterling man diagnosed with West Nile virus

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STERLING - A Sterling man has been "diagnosed positive" for the potentially fatal, mosquito-borne West Nile virus, Whiteside County Health Department staff confirmed in a news release Friday. The man had symptoms consistent with West Nile virus, was treated and is doing better, Joan Saunders, head of infectious diseases at the Whiteside County Health Department, said in the release. "This is why it is so important to protect yourself and your children from mosquito bites," said Beth Fiorini, public health administrator. Mosquitoes pick up the virus by feeding on infected birds. Symptoms develop 3 to 14 days later and can range from slight fever and headache in mild cases, to aches, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, paralysis or death, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Most infected people don't develop symptoms, though. So far this year, seven counties have reported a total of two positive birds and 41 infected mosquito pools, according to the state health department. Last year, Whiteside County had one of the 101 human cases reported statewide. Typically, the virus shows up in late August or September, and first in tests on birds or mosquitoes, said Gene Johnston, the county's environmental director. "This human case came earlier than we have had in the past," Johnston said. "We are surprised to have a human case before we have had any signs through surveillance." The health department has had mosquito traps in four local communities since May.