The mosquito-born West Nile virus has yet to hit the residents of Charleston, and Gov. George Ryan is assisting in the control of the outbreak.

Tom Schafer, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said as far as Coles County, horses and birds have tested positive, but no human cases have been reported.

“Today we (Illinois) have the highest outbreak in the United States,” Schafer said.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Web site, new human cases have been reported from various counties located near Coles County.

As of Sept. 4, Moultrie and Shelby counties, which border the west side of Coles County, each have reported one human case.

Effingham recently reported another human case, which brings its total up to three.

Cook County has reported 163 human cases, while DuPage, located near Cook County, has reported nine human cases.

Illinois now has a total of 21 counties with reported human cases.

Schafer said even though the virus is known to mostly affect the elderly, college students should still take precautions when going outside.

Two 14-year-olds, a 15-year-old, and a 21-year-old have been reported in Illinois as human cases, Schafer said.

State attacks West Nile

Gov. Ryan has organized a West Nile Virus Task Force to aid in controlling the outbreak. The task force was created last fall to provide assistance to counties to prevent the spread of the virus.

The task force is made up of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Health.

The Illinois Department of Public Health helps with surveys and testing of human cases, while the Illinois Department of Agriculture handles testing of birds, horses and mosquitoes.

The task force determines which counties will receive financial assistance through applications. A county with at least one reported human case that has expended all its available resources toward the situation is eligible for financial assistance.

The task force reviews applications from the counties and decides which counties will receive the emergency money, a press release stated. The counties then use the emergency money to reduce the adult mosquito population.

For a mild infection, look for symptoms including skin rash, fever, swollen lymph glands and headache. For severe infection look for disorientation, high fever, tremors, muscle weakness, stupor, severe headache, neck stiffness, convulsions, paralysis, coma and death.

Reduce your risk

Avoid being outdoors at dawn, dusk and early evening.

When outdoors, wear shoes and long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothes are best.

Use mosquito repellent that is 25 to 35 percent DEET.

Repair holes and tears in screens.