Man Becomes Infected With West Nile Virus In East Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville man became infected with the West Nile virus in August, according to public health data. The man, who lives in the eastern part of the city, marks the first human West Nile Virus case in Naperville in 2021, DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) reports.

City officials also report that a mosquito trap on Shagbark Court tested positive for West Nile virus during the following weeks:

• Aug. 20
• Aug. 27
• Sept. 3

After the Shagbark Court trap tested positive, the area was treated with mosquito spray and checked for mosquito breeding sites. Crews also retreated catch basins in the area, according to a news release. The trap is one of 10 mosquito traps that are monitored by the city weekly to check for West Nile and other viruses.

Other precautions city crews take against West Nile virus include identifying and removing standing water and treating ponds, marshes and catch basins with chemicals. Naperville also sprays for mosquitos on an as-needed basis, using "the safest chemicals available in very low volumes," the news release said.

DuPage County has seen an uptick in West Nile virus activity in recent weeks. This Naperville case is the fourth human case identified in DuPage County in 2021. Human West Nile virus cases have also been diagnosed in Carol Stream, Wheaton and Aurora.

To help prevent the spread of West Nile virus, residents are advised to:

• Drain standing water and clean bird baths and pet dishes regularly
• Wear mosquito repellant with DEET when outdoors and reapply as needed
• Wear repellant between dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity is heightened
• Protect skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, along with shoes that have closed toes

Illinois reported its first human case of the West Nile virus for 2021 in early August. The patient, a Cook County man in his 80s, began experiencing symptoms of the virus in mid-June.

West Nile virus causes body aches, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and rash in about 20 percent of affected patients, according to DCHD. In rare cases, the virus can lead to encephalitis or meningitis.