The Illinois Department of Health has announced that ninety public health agencies across Illinois will share $3.4 million in West Nile virus grant money from the state Department of Public Health.
Showing relationships in mosquito-borne West Nile virus
Grant money is to be used for prevention programming, testing birds and mosquitoes for West Nile virus and controlling mosquitoes, as well as informing the public about the virus.
The money is to be used for prevention programming, testing birds and mosquitoes for West Nile virus and controlling mosquitoes. Funds also can be used to inform the public about the virus and investigate human cases of the virus.
Department of Public Health director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said local health department need resources to fight the virus.
WNV was first identified in the United States in the New York City area during the summer of 1999. Previously, this mosquito-borne virus had only been found in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The introduction of this foreign virus was recognized by deaths of thousands of birds (particularly crows and jays) and an epidemic of encephalitis in people and horses. Over the next few years, the virus spread across the United States affecting horses and humans and other animals.
Mosquito-borne disease prevention tips:
The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to wear insect repellant containing an active ingredient such as 10% to 30% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus [(p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], to exposed skin and clothing when outdoors.
- Prevent items such as buckets and tarps from holding standing water.
- If rainwater is collected, cover and seal containers when not collecting rain.
- Empty your outdoor pet's water bowl and refill daily. Rinse, scrub, and refill birdbaths weekly. Empty plastic wading pools weekly and store indoors when not in use.
- Maintain swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs regularly as recommended by manufacturer. Store boats covered or upside down.
- For a water garden or ornamental body of water, use an environmentally safe product to kill the larvae, e.g. BTI, or stock with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
- Regularly clean fallen leaves and debris from roof gutters.
- Trim grass and weeds and dismantle brush to deprive mosquitoes of a habitat.
- Repair or replace all broken or torn window and door screens. Repair leaky lawn irrigation spouts.
Steps to protect horses from mosquitoes:
Steps should be taken to limit the horses' exposure to mosquitoes by keeping them indoors during peak mosquito activity periods, such as dawn and dusk. Stalls should be screened whenever possible and fans installed over horses to help deter mosquitos.
Since mosquitoes are attracted to light, avoid turning lights on in the stalls during the evening or overnight. Placing incandescent bulbs around the perimeter of the stable or use of electric bug zappers will draw mosquitoes away from the horses. Also, birds, including chickens, should not be living in or close to the stable.
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