West Nile virus (WNV) season has begun and the McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) is
reminding residents to take all steps necessary to prevent WNV. WNV is primarily a disease of birds;
therefore, dead birds are a good indicator that the virus is present. However, WNV can be transmitted
through the bite of a mosquito that has the virus from feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the
virus have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an
infected mosquito. Only about two out of ten people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will
experience any illness. Illness from WNV is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches.
Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe central nervous system disease.
The best way to prevent West Nile virus or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of
mosquitoes around your home and take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
➢ Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, between dusk and dawn.
➢ When outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
➢ Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label
instructions. Consult a physician before using on infants and children.
➢ Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have
tears or other openings.
➢ Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in
bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles.
WNV carrying mosquitoes are not usually associated with floods; however, the recent heavy rains may
have created breeding sites around homes that may cause problems if not drained or removed before
the heat of the summer. Nuisance floodwater mosquitoes, which have a particularly strong bite, may be
present in increased numbers in the meantime (floodwater mosquitoes are not carriers of WNV).
MCHD will submit qualifying dead birds for testing. A Crow, blue jay, grackle, starling, sparrow, finch,
robin, cardinal, flycatcher, swallow, catbird, mockingbird, warbler, or wren are accepted for testing. If
you see a dead bird suspected to have died from WNV, report the following information to MCHD: your
name, address, and telephone number, date and location the bird was found and type of bird (if known).
To ensure that birds are only reported once, please dispose of ineligible dead birds safely. If plastic
gloves are not available, place your hands in plastic bags and use them like gloves when handling dead
birds. Double bag the bird and dispose of in the trash.
For more information, or to report a dead or sick-looking bird, or to report mosquito harborage risks,
please contact the Environmental Health Division of the McDonough County Health Department
Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 5:00pm at 309-837-9951 ext. 2000.
***Courtesy of the McDonough County Health Department***
