First human case of West Nile virus reported in Cook County

The spray, targeted at mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile Virus, will be held on August 29. “The application material has a very low toxicity profile to mammals and will have negligible impact to non-target insects and the environment”, according to the county.

– A woman is the first person in suburban Cook County to contract the West Nile virus this summer, according to the county’s Department of Public Health.

The severity and symptoms of West Nile virus can vary widely.

Get free real-time news alerts from the Warminster Patch. Life-threatening symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and/or inflammation of the brain.

Zika virus is also transmitted mostly by mosquitoes, but the main breed of mosquito carrying the virus, Aedes aegypti, is rarely found in IL.

The most effective way to avoid the disease is to prevent mosquito bites, Borenstein said.

West Nile fever generally resolves itself without treatment, but unsafe brain infections such as encephalitis or meningitis can develop in 1 out of 150 people. “Mosquito bites are itchy and annoying but they can have other consequences as well”.

Dress in long sleeves, trousers when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.

DEET-Apply repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET, and follow the directions on the package.

The general public should report any dead crows, blue jays, robins or potential mosquito breeding sites to their local health department. Penny Borenstein, county health officer.