Politics & Government

West Nile Case Brings Kane County Total to 12

The Kane County Health Department updates cases of West Nile Virus.

The Kane County Health Department is reporting one case of West Nile Virus, bringing the total this season to 12, the most since 2007.

The case being reported Wednesday is a 64-year-old man from Aurora, who was hospitalized and has since been discharged.

The Health Department stopped West Nile monitoring activities last month with the onset of the cold weather, but will continue to report any new cases once a week on Wednesdays. The Illinois Public Health Department has recorded 245 cases statewide this year, including 10 deaths, as compared to 34 cases and three deaths last year.

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West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Kane County Health Department’s website or the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. People also can call the IDPH West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Huntleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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