GRANVILLE Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus collected

Shaw Local News Network

The Putnam County Health Department has confirmed that mosquitoes collected on July 6 in Granville have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus have also been collected in La Salle and Bureau counties.

“We are urging the public to use precautions against mosquito bites while attending outdoor events,” BPM County Health Department Administrator Hector Gomez said.

Gomez said common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches, however, severe illnesses could include meningitis or death in rare cases.

People older than 50 or those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of severe illness from the virus.

Women’s Fellowship of the Granville United Church of Christ to host lottery tree fundraiser

The BPM County Health Department said 4 out of 5 people infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms and about 1 in 5 people who are infected develop common symptoms. Severe symptoms can occur in about 1 in 150 infected people.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of the common house mosquito.

The health department recommends taking precautionary measures to reduce mosquitoes around the house include eliminating standing water suitable for reproductions, cleaning clogged roof gutters, changing water in bird baths and turning over objects that can trap water.

The health department also recommends taking precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites when outdoors.

The Women’s Fellowship of the Granville United Church of Christ is hosting a lottery tree fundraiser.

Tickets for the event cost $5 and are available at Axline Pharmacy, 324 S. McCoy St., or by calling UCC Church members Karen at 815-339-2116 or Cathy at 815-252-0741.

Granville United Church of Christ to host ravioli event Aug. 4

The Granville United Church of Christ, 103 N. Church St., will offer ravioli in homemade meat sauce for $10 during cruise night on Friday, Aug. 4, in downtown Granville. The meal also will feature bread and butter.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Peru hospital hearing moved to July 27

OSF HealthCare had a hearing set Aug. 15 on a change-of-ownership application for the Peru hospital. Now, the hearing is Thursday, July 27.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will host its next hearing July 27 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook. The agenda includes OSF’s petition to transfer ownership of St. Margaret’s Health-Peru (formerly Illinois Valley Community Hospital) to OSF.

The agency’s Aug. 15 meeting was canceled.

The Peru hospital has been closed since Jan. 28. OSF HealthCare filed the paperwork needed to fully and formally acquire the hospital.

OSF has said it will remain a sister hospital to Ottawa and it should open by Thanksgiving.

–TomCollins