Health & Fitness
1st Human Case of West Nile Virus Reported in Illinois This Year: Agency
The disease was found in an adolescent in the west-central part of the state. Mosquitoes with the virus were found last month in Glenview.
The first human case of West Nile virus for 2016 has been confirmed, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday.
An adolescent in west-central Illinois became seriously ill with the disease in late May, the state agency said in a release but did not provide more details. Officials say this first reported human case of West Nile virus has come earlier in the year than past cases.
Find out what's happening in Glenviewfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We typically don’t start to see human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois until the end of July or beginning of August,” Dr. Nirav D. Shah of the IDPH stated in press release. Last year, the first confirmed human case was reported Aug. 19.
This year, the first batch of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus were discovered May 23 in Glenview. The first bird carrying the disease in 2016 was collected May 20 in Arcola Township in Douglas County.
Find out what's happening in Glenviewfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The state health agency advises people to stay away from areas where mosquitoes breed, such as standing water in flowerpots, bird baths and ponds. Also, residents should use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535.
Go to the IDPH website for additional information about West Nile virus and how to prevent contracting it.
Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
