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Human case of West Nile reported in Skokie
Updated: September 10, 2012 12:37PM
SKOKIE – Skokie officials are warning residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites after the seasons’ first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus in the north suburb was confirmed.
An adult woman has been hospitalized with the disease, according to the Skokie Health Department. West Nile Virus was first detected in mosquitoes in Skokie in June.
It is the third confirmed case of West Nile in Illinois this year, all from northern Cook County. The first two cases were women in their 60s from Des Plaines and Rolling Meadows.
With the detection of the virus and continued hot weather creating an ideal environment for mosquito breeding, officials urge residents to protect themselves and their families by taking the following precautions:
— Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
— Eliminate risk by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets or anything that can hold water. Dumping or draining water will interrupt the mosquito life cycle.
— Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
— Apply mosquito repellant to exposed skin — the most effective contain 35 percent DEET.
— Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes and check to make sure screens are in good condition.
— Maintain wimming pools in a clean and sanitary manner, with all circulation and filtration equipment operational and chemical levels within recommended guidelines; drain water from pool covers.
