Suburban Cook County resident is state's first West Nile death this year

A suburban Cook County resident is the first person to die from a West Nile virus infection this year in Illinois.

Illinois Department of Public Health officials said the unnamed resident in his or her 90s was infected in early August and died shortly thereafter. The state health agency said 11 other people were infected as well, but those cases were nonfatal.

Of the 12 cases reported this year, five were from suburban Cook County, two from Chicago and one each from Kane, Macon, Madison, Will and Woodford counties, IDPH officials said.

Last year, the first West Nile virus-related death also occurred in August. There seven deaths from the virus in 2022 and 26 nonfatal cases. The youngest to die in 2022 was a 26-year-old.

The West Nile virus is spread to humans via culex mosquitoes that fed from infected birds.

Common symptoms include headache, nausea, fever and muscle aches. In rare cases, the virus can cause meningitis, encephalitis or death.

Older individuals and people who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of severe illness from infection, experts warn.

So far this year, 1,817 mosquito batches, as well as 13 birds, have tested positive for the virus, in 42 counties.

Health officials suggest minimizing exposure by keeping doors and screens shut, eliminating standing water, and wearing proper repellent and clothes in outdoor settings.