11 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In DuPage County

WHEATON, IL — Cases of West Nile virus are on the rise and expected to continue climbing in the coming weeks, according to public health officials in DuPage County. As of Sept. 29, there have been 11 human West Nile virus cases reported in the county, recent DCHD data shows.

The new statistics are more than twice those reported in early September, when DuPage County had five human West Nile Virus cases.

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 with closed toes

Also on Patch: Rabies Death Is Illinois’ First Human Case In 67 Years

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. In August, an east Naperville resident contracted West Nile virus.

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.