SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today announced 17 new West Nile virus cases have been identified in Chicago, suburban Cook and DuPage counties, bringing to 63 the number of cases reported so far this year in the state.
The new cases are:
A 58-year-old woman from Chicago who is hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 48-year-old man from Chicago with West Nile fever.
A 76-year-old woman from Chicago who was hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 76-year-old man from Chicago who was hospitalized with West Nile neuorinvasive disease.
A 77-year-old man from Chicago who was hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 42-year-old woman from suburban Cook County with West Nile disease.
A 69-year-old woman from suburban Cook County who is hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 80-year-old woman from suburban Cook County who is hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 51-year-old woman from suburban Cook County with West Nile disease.
A 45-year-old woman from suburban Cook County with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 54-year-old man from suburban Cook County who is hospitalized with West Nile fever.
A 48-year-old man from suburban Cook County who was hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 55-year-old man from DuPage County who is hospitalized with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
A 56-year-old man from DuPage County who was hospitalized with West Nile fever.
A 87-year-old man from DuPage County who is hospitalized with West Nile fever.
A 51-year- old woman from DuPage County with West Nile fever.
There have been 25 other cases of West Nile disease this year in suburban Cook County. The states other cases of West Nile disease have been from Chicago (9), DuPage (5), Kane (5), Peoria (1), and Will (1) counties.
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 disease 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.
A total of 63 humans, 167 birds, 1,472 mosquito samples, one horse and one llama from 36 counties have tested positive for West Nile virus since surveillance for the mosquito-borne disease began on May 1.
In 2004, Illinois recorded 60 human cases of West Nile disease, including four deaths, and in 2003, there were 54 human cases, including one death. The state led the nation in 2002 with 884 human cases of West Nile disease and 67 deaths.
Because West Nile virus activity in Culex mosquitoes increases during hot weather, personal protection against mosquitoes is particularly important during August and September.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
Health at Risk: The Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance From a Global to Local Health Perspective
March 6th 2024Discover the critical role infection preventionists play in combating multidrug-resistant organisms, from the impact on patient care to the challenges of treatment, and the evolving landscape of antimicrobial resistance with Katharine J Hoffman, MPH, CIC.
Rare Disease Day 2024: Spotlight on Rare Infectious Diseases
February 29th 2024Rare Disease Day on February 29, 2024, shines a global light on the impact of rare diseases, including rare infectious diseases. With a focus on early diagnosis and treatment access, this day highlights the struggles of those with rare conditions.
FDA Approves Enmetazobactam for Complicated UTIs: A Breakthrough in Antimicrobial Therapy
February 26th 2024Enmetazobactam (Exblifep; Orchid Pharma) has received FDA approval for treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), offering a promising solution in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.