Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Case Counts* in Kendall County
Total Cases in Residents: 1905
New Cases**: 11
Total Cases of Residents In-Recovery: 1403
Total Deaths: 26
*Case Counts are provisional as of 4:00 pm on 9.17.2020 and subject to change.
**New cases are included in total case number.
West Nile Virus in Kendall County
Kendall County Health Department is reporting today that a mosquito batch, collected from the Oswego area on September 10th, has tested positive for the West Nile virus. Positive mosquito batches have also been found in other areas of Northern Illinois this mosquito season, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, LaSalle, Grundy and Will counties, as well as in Central and Southern Illinois.
We wish to remind our community that the risk of West Nile virus infection is greatest from August 1st through mid-fall, and to take appropriate actions in order to protect themselves. To date this year, 24 Illinois counties have reported positive test results through either mosquito or bird samples. One human case of West Nile virus was identified in Illinois. The positive mosquito test results indicate that the virus is present in Kendall County and residents should continue take precautions to protect themselves from the mosquito bite.
According to the CDC, West Nile Virus symptoms can include high fever, headache, and stiff neck and disorientation. Severe cases can cause convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and even paralysis.
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. Kendall County Health Department recommends the following precautions:
- Eliminate or flush sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including plugged gutters, flower pots, old tires, and any other receptacles that can hold water. Flush bird baths once a week.
- Try to avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes most likely to carry the virus are most active, especially from dusk to dawn.
- When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and, following the labeled instructions apply insect repellent that includes DEET.
- 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 that are not screened, closed.
For additional information on West Nile virus, such as surveillance, signs and symptoms, please contact the Kendall County Health Department at (630) 553-9100 or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit our Kendall County Health Department COVID_19 information page.
