DuPage County report first West Nile virus case

The DuPage Health Department on Monday announced the county's first reported human case of West Nile virus this year.

Department officials said the case involves a male Naperville resident in his 50s. Officials said he was treated as an outpatient and his symptoms have improved.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Approximately one in five people who are infected with the virus will develop symptoms including fevers, headaches, body aches, joint pains and vomiting. Less than one percent develop a serious neurologic illness.

Health department officials say that despite unseasonably cool temperatures, local residents should protect themselves against the virus by wearing insect repellant outdoors, and emptying standing water from items outside homes, including flowerpots and buckets.