First West Nile Virus Case For DuPage County In 2017 Reported In Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN, IL — The DuPage County Health Department reported the first case of the West Nile Virus for the county this year on Thursday. According to the report, a Glen Ellyn man in his 50s was infected was the virus, making him the third person in Illinois to contract West Nile Virus this year.

This case of the virus comes just after DuPage County Health Department issued a warning to residents to take precautions against the virus. Tests of mosquitoes in the region had already been turning up positive before the Glen Ellyn man contracted West Nile Virus.

Health department officials caution be aware of symptoms of West Nile Virus, which is transmitted when a human or animal is bitten by a mosquito that carries the disease. According to DuPage County Health Department, 20% of people infected with the virus will display symptoms. Those symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Rash

To help protect against West Nile Virus, DuPage County resident should drain standing water, wear long sleeve clothing and pants when outdoors, and use a repellent with DEET whenever outside. For more information about how to guard yourself against the West Nile Virus, visit the DuPage County Health Department website.

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