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Fight the Bite

As Summer Starts, CDPH Reminds Chicagoans How to Fight the Bite!

First Sign of West Nile Virus Found in Mosquitos and City Prevention Measures Being Taken

Today, the City of Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reminding Chicagoans to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites as summer starts.  

Each year CDPH leads a comprehensive West Nile Virus (WNV) prevention surveillance program to determine risk levels around the city and reduce the exposure to mosquitoes with West Nile Virus.  This year's first two WNV-positive mosquito samples were collected in Clearing and New City.   

"It is very important to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites on near your home.  This includes the using repellents containing DEET, reducing all standing water on your property, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outside and limiting outdoor, evening activities when mosquitoes are most active," said Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

The identification of positive mosquitoes within the City is coming a few weeks earlier than last year and could signal a longer and more intense viral transmission season.  In comparison, the first infected mosquitoes in 2011 were collected during the last week of July.   

In response, CDPH will increase its mosquito trapping and surveillance in the areas to find sources where mosquitoes may be breeding. If there continues to be a presence of WNV in the next week, the City of Chicago will spray in these areas to rapidly decrease the numbers of infected adult mosquitoes. The City uses a nontoxic chemical that is safe for the environment and people but harsh on mosquitoes.

Positive mosquito samples have also been collected from several of the City's suburbs in recent weeks and two WNV positive birds were found in Chicago this year.  

West Nile Virus is a virus that is carried by some birds and mosquitoes contract it when they bite these birds. It is spread to humans when an infected mosquito bites humans. West Nile Virus cannot be spread from person to person like a cold; it is only through a bite from an infected mosquito.

 

CDPH is offering residents 5 helpful tips to Fight the Bite! 

• Apply Bug Spray! Bug spray is recommended for anybody over 2 months old. Make sure the product you choose has DEET, picardidin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, these are the active ingredients that keep those suckers away!
• Mosquitoes love to bite around sun set time, that's when wearing but spay is extra important.
• Don't Stand for Standing Water, pools of water are where mosquitoes lay their eggs, don't give them this opportunity. For Example, large puddles, or abandoned swimming pools or even baby pools can turn into playgrounds for mosquitoes. if you see standing water call 311 to report it.
• Protect you Home and make sure the window screens don't have holes, mosquitoes love to sneak in there.
• If you see a dead bird report it by calling 311. A trained professional will come out and remove the bird and have it tested for West Nile Virus.

For prevention tips and updates on West Nile Virus activity in Chicago, visit www.cityofchicago.org/health. For an expert national perspective on West Nile Virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Internet at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

 
The City's WLV Surveillance Program

CDPH WNV surveillance program started in May. CDPH reduces the mosquito population by first placing briquettes into 91,657 catch basis in targeted areas in the City where evidence of West Nile Virus has been present in the past.  Then, 74 traps are set up around the city to conduct field surveillance.  These traps collect mosquitoes and CDPH tests for WNV 2 times a week. Traps are set up at undisclosed locations around the City in areas where evidence of West Nile Virus has been present.

About West Nile Virus in Humans                                                                                         

Human infections occur when people are bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. On average, only about 2 in 10 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will actually become ill. For those who do become ill, West Nile Virus infection can cause a relatively mild illness called West Nile Fever, characterized by fever, muscle aches, rash and headache. More severe West Nile illness is less common, but can include meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain) and encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain itself). People of all ages are susceptible to West Nile infection, but people over age 50 are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

WNV Symptoms include:  Fever, headache, rash and swollen glands. The only way to know is to visit a doctor and have a blood test. If left untreated WNV can cause complications, so it is recommended to air on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor if you notice any symptoms.

 

Summer Safety Tips

Today the City of Chicago Department of Public Health offered health tips to avoid injury and illness especially helpful over the next few days and into the 4th of July Weekend.

STAY COOL, STAY HYDRATED, STAY INDOORS

• Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day to avoid dehydration and ensure that children stay well hydrated;
• Wear loose, light cotton clothing;
• Avoid or minimize physical exertion and direct exposure to the sun;
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses;
• Do not let anyone sit in a hot, parked car, not even for a few minutes;
• Visit one of the City's temporary cooling centers. Call 3-1-1 to find the closest one.
• Sign up for extreme weather alerts by visiting www.AlertChicago.com and clicking on the Notify Chicago.

FOOD SAFETY

• for cookouts and picnics, temperature is key to avoiding foodborne illness.
• Use a meat thermometer to make sure all meat and poultry are properly cooked - ground beef hamburgers to 160°F and hot dogs to 165°F
• Use a clean plate when taking food off the grill
• Keep hot food hot (140°F or above), and cold food cold (40°F or below)
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours
• The symptoms of most types of food poisoning include severe cramps, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.  Symptoms can begin from 30 minutes to three or more days after eating contaminated food. If symptoms are severe or last longer than two days, contact a doctor or health care provider.

WATER SAFETY -

• whether at the beach, on the lake or in a swimming pool, take safety precautions.
• Supervise young children around water
• Avoid alcohol while supervising children and before or during swimming, boating, or waterskiing
• Always use life jackets and secure personal flotation devices - do not substitute air-filled or foam toys for safety gear
• Shower before enter a swimming pool and do not swim if you have diarrhea
• Be aware of the local weather conditions and forecast, especially watch for thunderstorms with lightening
• Know and obey the posted warnings that indicate beach conditions
• Pay attention to lifeguards or posted instructions.

SUN AND HEAT SAFETY-

• protect yourself against sunburn and heat illness.
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside
• Increase your fluids - drink more liquid than your thirst indicates; avoid alcohol
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loosing-fitting clothing
• Heat exhaustion symptoms - heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, pale or flushed complexion, and fast and shallow breathing
• Heat exhaustion treatment - move the person to a cooler place; remove or loosen tight clothing; and apply cool, wet cloths; give cool water to slowly drink
• Heat stroke symptoms - hot, dry skin, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temperature, confusion/dizziness and slurred speech
• Heat stroke treatment - call 911; quickly cool the person in a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around them; if the victim refuses water, is vomiting or shows a decreased level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink

MOSQUITO AND TICK SAFETY -

• camping, hiking or in your own backyard, guard against insect illnesses.
• Apply bug spray or repellent for anybody over 2 months old.
• Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus and ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis and other serious infections
• Avoid being outside during prime mosquito-biting hours, dusk to dawn, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions 
• Avoid tick-infested areas, such as the woods and high grasses, and use repellent containing 20 percent DEET or treat clothing with the repellent, permethrin
• Remove ticks attached to the body using a pair of tweezers and call your health care provider if you develop a rash, fever or body aches during the 1 to 3 weeks following a bite
• Check with a veterinarian about preventing tick-borne diseases in pets as they can carry ticks into the home
• Don't stand for standing water, pools of water are where mosquito lay their eggs. For example, large puddles, baby pools, bird baths.
• Call 311 to report standing water, or dead birds. 

For more information on summer safety, cooling centers, and other heat related information call 311, or find other health information on www.cityofchicago.org/health