West Nile Virus Hotline Open; Report Dead Birds

The Will County Health Department is asking residents to help minimize the public's risk of West Nile Virus (WNV) by reporting dead bird sightings. Reported sightings can help health officials identify the potential for human infections.

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Residents can call the county's WNV information line 24/7 to report sightings at 815-740-7631.

WNV is a mosquito-borne disease capable of producing encephalitis and meningitis, potentially fatal inflammations of the brain and spinal chord. 

"WNV poses potential health risks for everyone," said Will County Environmental Health Director Elizabeth Bilotta. "We are interested in the location of dead birds because that information is one way we are able to assess the potential for local virus activity. Dead bird monitoring and testing is a critical part of the statewide WNV surveillance initiative."

Adult crows and blue jays have long been testing priorities, but the Illinois Department of Public Health will accept multiple bird species for laboratory analysis. The Health Department will collect a limited number of reported dead birds and submit them to the state for analysis. You can view pictures of bird testing priorities by visiting the Environmental Health page at www.willcountyhealth.org.

The health department offers the following tips to reduce your risk of WNV:

• Wear light-colored clothing and long sleeves
• Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites on your property
• Use insect repellent contaning DEET
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and near dawn, when mosquitoes are most active

2012: 'Largest outbreak ever'

Last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control called the outbreak of WNV the largest ever. Nationwide, there were more than 5,600 human cases reported and 286 deaths.

The Will County Health Department reported eight confirmed cases of WNV in 2012, including patients in Plainfield, Romeoville, Crest Hill and Bolingbrook.

While there were no reported fatalities in Will County last year, there were two confirmed WNV-related deaths in nearby DuPage County. Statewide, there were 12 deaths, according to the CDC. 

Will County Health Department spokesman Vic Reato said there have been a total of 66 cases and two fatalities since WNV first arrived in Will County in 2002. Statewide, there have been 120 fatalities since 2002.

For more information about WNV, visit www.idph.state.il.us or www.cdc.gov.

Read:

• Health Department Confirms Second West Nile Death in DuPage County
• Plainfield Woman Among Confirmed West Nile Cases
• More West Nile Virus Cases Pop Up in Will County
• Bolingbrook Woman Diagnosed with West Nile Virus
• Will County's First Human Case of West Nile Reported in Romeoville
• Map: Cases of West Nile Virus in Chicago's Suburbs