Wheaton Woman Infected With 5th West Nile Case In DuPage County

WHEATON, IL — A fifth case of West Nile Virus has been reported in DuPage County, according to a statement from the county health department. The victim of this most recent case is a woman in her 80s from Wheaton.

Health department officials warn that weather changes may be increasing the risk for West Nile Virus." The recent warm weather that followed a cool spell may have caused some people to be less cautious," Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a statement.

This summer, an alarmingly high number of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in and around DuPage County. The health department has imposed a level 3 high risk warning for the disease.

The fact that this recent case affected a woman in her 80s serves as a reminder that the elderly and those with chronic illness are more susceptible to the virus.

To help protect yourself from the West Nile Virus, the health department recommends that you:

• Drain standing water
• Use insect repellant that contains DEET
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants when outdoors

Symptoms are often flu-like and include:

• Body aches
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Rash

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