McHenry County Reports More Human WNV Cases

The McHenry County Health Department reported four more human cases of West Nile virus, the most number of cases since 2007, officials said Monday.

Individuals affected range in age from 61-70 from the communities of Lake in the Hills, Woodstock and Cary, according to a release from the McHenry County Health Department (MCHD). Three of the residents were hospitalized, with two having the more serious illnesses of encephalitis and meningitis, but all have since returned home.

Earlier this year, MCDH reported a 56- year-old from Cary contracted WNV but the person was not hospitalized and has since recovered.  A single case of human WNV was reported in each of the last two years in McHenry County during the months of August, September and October, the release stated.  The State Health Department has recorded 185 human cases in 2012, including seven deaths, as compared to 34 human cases and three deaths in 2011.

Illness from WNV is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis and death, are possible.  Contact your healthcare provider should you exhibit these symptoms.  Illness can occur 3-15 days after an infected mosquito bite.  The disease can affect all ages, but persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease.

For more information on WNV, visit the MCHD website or call 815-334-4585