ILLINOIS (WAND) – The first case of the West Nile virus in Illinois this year is now confirmed.
The Illinois Department of Public Health says a Chicago woman in her 60s had the virus after becoming sick in the middle of May. The department says it asked the Centers for Disease Control to do more testing because this case was reported earlier than West Nile cases usually are.
The report of a first West Nile human case last year happened on July 20, 2017. There were eight deaths in the state in 2017 and 90 reported human cases. IDPH leaders say West Nile cases are often underreported.
Health leaders say house mosquitoes pick up the West Nile virus from infected birds. It can cause people to develop fever, nausea, headaches and muscle aches. Serious complications, such as meningitis or encephalitis, along with death can happen in rare cases. People over the age of 60 or those with weaker immune systems have a higher risk for developing issues.
Leaders are reminding people to be sure to fit windows with tight-fitting screens and repair broken screens. They’re also asked to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts outside and have on repellent. Water standing for more than a week should be reported to local health departments.
People are also asked to report sick, dying or dead birds to health leaders to see if they can be tested for West Nile.
