Contributed photo
Contributed photo
issued the following announcement on Sept. 10
The DuPage County Health Department has notified the City of a confirmed human case of the West Nile virus in Naperville. The adult male who contracted the virus was infected in August, and lives in east Naperville. The City of Naperville continuously monitors and tests its 10 mosquito traps each week to check for any that could be carrying harmful viruses. One trap on Shagbark Court tested positive for West Nile Virus the weeks of Aug. 20, 27, and Sept. 3. Since that time, City crews have sprayed the area as a precaution, checked the area for breeding sites and re-treated area catch basins.
To help control the mosquito population in Naperville, City crews inspect for and remove standing water and treat ponds, marsh areas and catch basins throughout the City with chemicals. City crews also monitor the mosquito population on a weekly basis through the use of mosquito traps to evaluate the effectiveness of larval control, provide early warnings for when adult populations are rising and also test for West Nile Virus. When necessary, the City will utilize spraying to control the population of adult mosquitoes. In these cases, the City uses the safest chemicals available in very low volumes and sprays only as needed.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people who are infected with the West Nile Virus have no symptoms or experience very mild symptoms three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Mild symptoms include a fever, headache and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. Less than 1 percent of infected people with West Nile Virus will develop severe symptoms. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.
The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Residents are encouraged to remove areas of standing water from their property, as it can act as a breeding ground for this insect. Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:
- Whenever outdoors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best.
- Use mosquito repellant containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors, applied sparingly to skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellant label. Consult a physician before using repellants on young children.
- Check for and repair any tears in residential screens, including porches and patios.
- Eliminate stagnant water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles in which mosquitoes might breed.
- Be sure to keep roof gutters clear of debris and keep grass cut short and shrubbery well-trimmed around your home to eliminate mosquito hiding places.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city's diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.
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