Kane County reports first West Nile virus case

The Kane County Health Department has recorded the first case of West Nile virus this season, a 56-year-old male from Sugar Grove who remains hospitalized, according to a news release Wednesday.

This is the first human case recorded in the county since two cases were noted in 2017.

Most people with the West Nile virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit KaneHealth.com/Pages/West-Nile-Virus.aspx.