Lake County confirms first human case of West Nile this year
The first confirmed human case of West Nile virus this year in Lake County has been found in a 70-year-old Grayslake woman, according to the Lake County Health Department.
The woman was hospitalized after becoming ill mid-August, according to a news release from the Lake County Health Department.
On August 15, the Health Department performed an emergency larvicide treatment to areas along the Des Plaines River impacted by flooding, targeting 130 acres where the most common carriers of West Nile virus were breeding.
In 2017, 52 batches of mosquitoes and one bird have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the release.
"This is the time of year when we begin seeing human cases of West Nile virus," said Mark Pfister, Lake County Health Department Executive Director.
"Although the weather is getting cooler, mosquitoes will remain active until the first hard frost. We encourage people to stay active outdoors, but please remember to wear insect repellent and take other precautions to avoid mosquito bites."
The health department recommends warding off mosquitoes by draining items like bird baths and gutters that collect standing water, wearing insect repellent with DEET, taking extra precautions outside during dawn and dusk, and wearing long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes.
Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, nausea, headache and sore muscles. In some cases, the infected person can develop severe and sometimes fatal illnesses including meningitis or encephalitis. People older than 50 and anyone with a weakened immune system is at a higher risk of severe illness from West Nile virus.
Anyone looking to report dead birds, areas of stagnant water, or seeking more information about West Nile virus, can call the Health Department's West Nile virus hotline at (847)-377-8300.
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