First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts, Director of Environmental Health (217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
First West Nile Positive Bird in Champaign County
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions
Champaign, IL – A dead bird collected last week just outside the city limits of Champaign has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). “With an increase in the hot and dry conditions we will expect to see an increase of WNV between the bird and Culex mosquito populations. It is important for people to now take precautions to help prevent WNV,” said Jim Roberts, Environmental Health Director at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD).
Actions you can take to limit exposure to WNV are:
- Drain standing water
- Mosquito-proof your home
- Apply insect repellent*
- Wear long sleeves and pants, when weather permits*
- Consider limiting outdoor activity*
*Take extra care during the peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn.
West Nile virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Only about two people in 10 who are infected with WNV will experience any illness. Illness from WNV is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness such as encephalitis, meningitis and death are possible. Serious illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease.
Information about WNV activity can be found on the CUPHD website at http://www.c-uphd.org/west-nile-virus.html.
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