Bird collected in Morris tests positive for West Nile virus.

The Grundy County Health Department reported Monday a bird collected from Morris has tested positive for West Nile virus. The sample was collected on Aug. 6, 2008. As of this date, the Grundy County Health Department has tested 45 mosquito batches and submitted five birds for testing. As of today, more than 20 counties in Illinois have reported mosquito samples, birds, horses or humans positive for West Nile virus so far this year. 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. Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. 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. Precautions include: - Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. - When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants. - 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, especially at night. - Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including flowerpots, clogged roof gutters, old tires and any other receptacles. For further information regarding West Nile virus, contact the Grundy County Health Department at (815) 941-3115.