Fight the Bite: West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus was first diagnosed in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. In August 1999, the first outbreak in North America occurred in New York City. During that outbreak 76 people in nine northeastern states were infected and eight died. Most of the people infected and all of the people who died were over 50 years old.

In 2002 in Illinois, 877 people came down with WNV. Sixty-two of them died. West Nile Virus also infects birds, dogs, cats and even horses. These animals can die too.

The common House Mosquito (Culex pipiens) is the guilty party. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on the blood of a bird that is carrying the virus. How does the bird get it? Unknown! Infected mosquitoes may then transmit WNV to humans and other animals. Infection occurs most often in late summer or early fall, but in southern states, WNV can be spread year round.

Mosquitoes fly around mainly at dusk and at dawn. They can be especially heavy along Lake Michigan and other waterways. Being outside during the daylight hours should be relatively bite-free, but there are no guarantees.

Mosquitoes grow from egg to larvae to adult in less than a week. The eggs must hatch and the larva must grow in standing water. The female house mosquito won’t lay her eggs in places that are dry.

Below are some precautions you can take to help “Fight the Bite” and control the spread of the West Nile Virus.

• Make sure water doesn’t stand for a long time in containers around your home. Check these areas every few days and again after a rain.
• Clean birdbaths once a week and add fresh water. Make sure water doesn’t sit under flower or vegetable planters.
• Have gutters inspected; make sure they drain completely after a rain.
• All windows should have screens. All screens should be tight fitting. Screen repair kits can be purchased at hardware stores.
• If you spend time outside in the late afternoon and evening, wear light colored clothes. Mosquitoes seem to be attracted to people in dark clothes.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to help prevent mosquitoes from biting. This may be hot, but it adds some protection.
• Apply mosquito repellent to your clothes, exposed arms, legs, hands, and neck. Repellents wear off, so you may need to apply more than once.
• Keep the grass mowed and weeds cut down around your home or apartment. Adult mosquitoes like tall grass and weeds.
• For more information on West Nile Virus, visit http://www. urbanext. uiuc.edu/ westnile/ or call your local University of Illinois Extension Office. Chicago callers (773) 233-0476, Lake County (847) 223-8627, DuPage County (630) 653-4114, Suburban Cook (708) 720-7520, for other Extension locations check your local phone directory.

Prepared by David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Springfield Center; Rhonda Ferree, Unit Leader, Fulton County; and Dr. Phil Nixon, Extension Entomologist.

June 2003
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