IDPH reports Illinois’ first human case of West Nile in 2024

CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois’ first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2024 has been announced by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

The West Nile virus is passed on through the bite of a typical mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. Symptoms usually don’t show in people, but can include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. The sickness may last from a few days to a few weeks. More severe illness can be experienced by individuals above 50 years old or with weakened immune systems, such as meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, or even death.

The IDPH said the infected individual resides in suburban Cook County and first felt symptoms in mid-June. The person is also in their 60s.

While 100% confirmation is pending from the Centers for Disease Control — which is routine procedure for the first positive case each year — commercial testing and clinical symptoms strongly indicate a case of WNV, IDPH said.

Last year’s first human WNV case occurred in late June. By the end of 2023, 119 total human cases of WNV were reported in the state. Six deaths were related to the virus.

“Summer in Illinois means mosquitos, and these mosquitos increase our risk of contracting vector-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “We encourage all Illinois residents to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their loves ones from insect bites that can cause potentially serious illnesses.”

The IDPH and local health departments monitor the presence of WNV by testing mosquitoes, birds, and horses. So far, positive results have been reported in animals in 33 Illinois counties. To see the data, visit the IDPH’s West Nile virus dashboard .

Because there are no dedicated treatments or vaccines available for WNV, it is important to take proactive measures against mosquito bites. Here are some tips from the IDPH to help prevent WNV:

• Reduce
  • Put tight-fitting screens on windows and doors, and repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
  • Keep doors and windows shut.
  • Eliminate or refresh all standing water where mosquitoes can breed — including bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
• Repel
  • Wear shoes and socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt outdoors.
  • Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
  • Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone according to label instructions.
• Report
  • If you you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week — such as roadside ditches or flooded yards — report these locations to your local health department. They or the city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito larvae.
  • If you see a sick or dead crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird, contact your local health department. They will determine if the bird should be picked up for lab testing.

For more information and data on WNV in Illinois, go to the IDPH’s website .

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