Aurora Man Becomes Third Illinois Resident With West Nile Virus

AURORA, IL — An Aurora man in his 60s became the third Illinois resident this year to test positive for West Nile Virus after local health officials announced DuPage County’s first positive case last week.

The man, who has not been identified, became ill in mid-August, county health officials said last week in a news release. The positive case was the second confirmed human case in just a matter of days after Kane County officials said that a Sugar Grove man in his 50s became the first resident there to test positive.

In early August, a Cook County man in his 80s became the first Illinois resident this year to be confirmed to have contracted the virus.

“While we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also remember to take steps to protect our health from other illnesses,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a news release last month. “West Nile virus is something we see every year in Illinois, and it is important people take steps to prevent mosquito bites and the viruses they carry by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around their homes.”

Last year, 26 counties in Illinois reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, and/or human case. State health officials reported 42 human cases last year (although human cases are underreported), including four deaths.

Health departments are encouraging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting West Nile Virus, which is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes.

About one in five people who are infected with West Nile Virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues), local health officials said in a news release.

The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites and follow the four Ds of defense, health officials said.

DRAIN: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard, or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.

DEFEND: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.

DRESS: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.

DUSK TO DAWN: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

West Nile Virus activity generally decreases in the fall when cooler temperatures arrive and especially after the first frost of the season. Additional information and resources on the virus and prevention of West Nile Virus are available at www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html.