First cases of West Nile virus in Will County
The Will County Health Department’s Environmental Health division announced that mosquitoes collected in Joliet have tested positive for West Nile virus [WNV] on June 21, 2024. These results represent the first WNV positive mosquitoes identified in Will County this year. Will County residents are reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites and mosquitoborne diseases.
No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far this year.
“West Nile Virus can lead to serious illness, especially for our Illinois seniors and people with weakened immune systems,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “With the virus appearing earlier this year following a milder winter and spring, I urge everyone to fight the bite in their communities. Please reduce exposures, wear insect repellent while outdoors, and report any standing water around your community where mosquitoes can breed.”
WNV typically causes mild, flu-like symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people [8 out of 10] infect-
ed with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people who develop symptoms from WNV recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
However, according to the CDC, about 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness that affects the central nervous system such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord [meningitis). Severe illness can occur in people of any age, however people over 60 years of age are at greater risk for severe illness if they are infected. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.
Because there is no vaccine available to prevent West Nile virus, it is important to avoid mosquito bites.
IDPH encourages the public to Fight the Bite by practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report:
• REDUCE - make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
• REPEL - when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, and
apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
• REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to
the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae.
For more information on WNV and what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s West Nile virus page at www.cdc.gov/ westnile or at the Illinois Department of Public Health’s West Nile Virus page at dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/ diseases-and-conditions/west-nilevirus.html
Nominate an indian for HoF
Minooka Community High School (is currently accepting nominations for the 2nd annual Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Throughout the numerous decades of athletic competition, the Minooka Indians have been represented by many outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams, and this is a great way to honor these athletes.
“The character of the inductees, along with the dedication to their specific sport, exemplifies the type of stu-
dent who attends MCHS past, present, and future,” stated Matt Williams, MCHS Athletic Director. It’s a great way to honor those deserving individuals who created an impressive MCHS legacy with the Athletic Hall of Fame.” continued Williams.
The 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be introduced on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the conclusion of the sophomore football game vs. Oswego East High School. Sophomore game starts at 4:30 p.m. and will end approxi-
mately at 6:30 p.m. The Varsity game begins at 7 p.m.
The Minooka Athletic Hall of Fame Committee will honor the Class of 2024 and their families at a dinner on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Dollinger’s Family Farm in Channahon. More information can be found on the Athletics web page at www.mchs.net/page/athletics.
Nominate an individual athlete, team, coach, or special merit individual. Nominations are now open through July 1 at www.mchs.
