Gurnee man is first reported Lake County West Nile case

The first confirmed human case of West Nile virus has been reported in Lake County but health officials say activity is below average this season.

A 48-year-old Gurnee man tested positive for West Nile virus in mid-August and was hospitalized and released, according to the Lake County Health Department, which did not provide details. Last year, there were six confirmed cases.

Also, 12 batches of mosquitoes and one bird have tested positive this year. Forty-one batches had tested positive by this time last year, said Mike Adam, senior biologist with the health department. The occurrence of Culex mosquitoes, which can carry the virus, has been limited this year, he added.

"When it's cooler and wetter, that's more conducive to the floodwater mosquito," Adam said. Those mosquitoes (Culex) thrive when it is hot and dry, and wet weather has been flushing areas like catch basins where they breed."

Executive Director Tony Beltran said county residents have done a good job protecting themselves but are reminded to continue to wear insect repellent and take other precautions, such as limiting outdoor activity at dusk, until the first hard freeze.

Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms, but some do become ill usually three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain, stiff neck, disorientation, paralysis or death.

"Typically, when people get the West Nile virus, it's usually in later in July and August," Adam said.

"We'll continue to monitor through the first part of October. We are starting to see the numbers dwindle as we get these cooler nights," he said.

"We want people to be diligent for a couple more weeks until we get a frost," he added.

Residents can call the West Nile hotline, (847) 377-8300 to report dead birds or areas of stagnant water that are conducive for mosquito breeding or visit health.lakecountyil.gov to learn more about the virus and symptoms,