The DuPage County Health Department announced on Friday, Sept. 25 that there are now four human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in DuPage County reported this year, since earlier this month, ranging in age from 40s to 70s. All four individuals have experienced severe symptoms and their conditions have been classified as neuroinvasive disease (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis).
The Health Department is reminding residents to “Fight the Bite” and protect themselves against mosquitoes by following the 4 Ds of Defense.
• Drain standing water around your home and yard;
• Defend by using insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors;
• Dress with long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when outside;
• Wear repellant from Dusk to Dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
The Health Department’s Personal Protection Index (PPI) remains at Level 3 (high risk) because of the number of mosquito batches testing positive for WNV. Level 3 indicates high numbers of infected mosquitoes in most areas and multiple human cases of WNV disease in DuPage County. View the PPI at dupagehealth.org/243/Personal-Protection-Index.
While most people infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms, approximately one in five people infected with WNV will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than one percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).
People over the age of 60 years, and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness and rarely may progress to coma and death.
Anyone who experiences symptoms should contact their health care provider for further evaluation and care.
