May 22, 2008

As summer approaches, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today more than $2.8 million in funding to health departments across Illinois to perform surveillance, prevent and control mosquitoes to prevent against the West Nile virus. Last year in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) received reports of 101 people infected with West Nile virus, four of whom died. These cases were reported in all regions of the state, from Cook County to Williamson County and from Rock Island County to Wabash County.

The primary purpose of the West Nile virus grants is to perform surveillance, which includes collecting and testing mosquitoes and birds for the virus. Health departments can also use the funding for mosquito control efforts, to inform the public about action they can take to prevent being infected with West Nile virus and to inspect areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed such as improperly maintained swimming pools and tire dumps.

The Monroe-Randolph Bi-County Health Department will be receiving a grant in the amount of $1,000.

Almost every health department in Illinois received funding for West Nile virus prevention and surveillance. Grant amounts are based on documented West Nile virus activity, number of human cases of mosquito-borne diseases and environmental surveillance data collected during the previous year.

IDPH is also providing more than $260,000 in larvicide to local health departments to treat stagnant water where mosquito larvae are produced, instead of spraying for adult mosquitoes, which is a short term solution and can be very expensive.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.