Health officials in Illinois announced the first human case of West Nile Virus in Will County on Tuesday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that the individual, who is in their 70s, began experiencing symptoms in July.
This marks at least the fifth human case of West Nile Virus in Illinois this year.
First Human Case of West Nile Virus in Chicago Area This Year As of 2024, there have been 1,318 West Nile-positive mosquito batches and 25 positive birds reported across 53 counties in Illinois. In Will County, mosquitoes caught in areas such as Joliet, Homer Glen, Shorewood, Lockport, Manhattan, New Lenox, Bolingbrook, Mokena, Frankfort, and Plainfield have tested positive for West Nile Virus this summer. Additionally, the first dead bird to test positive for the virus was found in Crest Hill.
DuPage County Resident Diagnosed with West Nile Virus According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, West Nile Virus typically causes mild, flu-like symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most people (8 out of 10) infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. Around 1 in 5 infected individuals may develop a fever along with other symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
Most people with symptoms recover fully, though fatigue and weakness can linger for weeks or months, the IDPH stated.
Health officials urged Illinois residents to protect themselves from West Nile Virus by following the ‘3 R’s:’
Reduce: Ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace any screens with tears or gaps, and try to keep doors and windows closed. Eliminate or refresh all sources of standing water weekly, as mosquitoes can breed in places like bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and other containers.
Repel: When outside, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt. Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to the label instructions. The CDC advises against using products with oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children under 3 years old. Consult a doctor before using repellents on young children.
Report: Notify authorities of any locations where stagnant water has been present for more than a week, such as roadside ditches or flooded yards, as these may attract mosquitoes. Local health departments or city governments may apply larvicide to the water to kill mosquito larvae.