Carol Stream woman state's first West Nile case

An unidentified Carol Stream woman in her 50s has been diagnosed by Illinois Department of Public Health officials as the first person in the state to contract West Nile virus this year.

Her condition is unknown. She first reported symptoms in early August, DuPage County Health Department officials said Tuesday.

State officials said 25 counties have reported positive tests results for mosquitoes carrying the disease dating back to May. Mosquitoes carrying the disease become more active in warmer and dryer conditions.

Health department officials are encouraging residents to take precautions by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of standing water around houses.

The virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the disease from an infected bird. The health department will collect dead "perching" birds such as crows and blue jays for West Nile testing through Oct. 15.

To report a dead bird that isn't decayed or has no visible signs of trauma, call (630) 682-7400. DuPage residents can check dupagehealth.org/wnv-map to see if their hometown has had reports of infected mosquitoes.