West Nile: Health Department Creates Safety Index; More Tips To Stay Healthy

DuPage County residents concerned about the prevalence of West Nile virus have a new tool to help them protect themselves.

The DuPage County Health Department created a Personal Protection Index that will inform residents of the amount of West Nile activity in the county and the steps they can take to protect themselves.

“This groundbreaking alert system the Health Department is launching will educate the public about the potential risk of contracting West Nile virus,” Linda Kurzawa, president of the board of health said in a news release. “The PPI will alert residents of WNV risk levels and advise them of the precautions they should take to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The index uses a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 being no activity and 4 announcing that multiple human cases have been confirmed. In addition, the index will recommend prevention tips based on the “4 Ds of Defense,” which include draining standing water, using insect repellent to defend yourself, dressing with long sleeves to cover your skin and being especially careful between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, according to the health department.  Based on its review of human and mosquito surveillance data, the Personal Protection widget will be updated by 3 p.m. each Wednesday throughout the West Nile virus season.

“While we all enjoy spending time outdoors, it is essential that we take the necessary precautions to defend ourselves from West Nile virus,” DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said in the release. “Thanks to the Health Department, residents now have the tools they need to keep their families healthy and safe.”

The Health Department monitors West Nile  activity through collection and testing of mosquitoes in numerous traps located throughout the county, according to the health department.  The weekly updates will be determined by the Health Department’s disease surveillance experts.

More On West Nile Virus

• Find out where West Nile has been found in the county and read more about the subject.

• The Illinois Department of Public Health has statistics on the number of cases in the state along with other information on the West Nile virus on its website.

After being bitten, people typically have symptoms of the virus within three to 14 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to avoid the risk is to avoid being bitten.

According to the DuPage County Health Department there are no medications to treat, or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection.  People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks.  In more severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.  Anyone who has symptoms that cause concern should contact a healthcare provider.

Here are tips from the CDC:

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.

• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in birdbaths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.