Officials Confirm Illinois’ First West Nile Virus-Related Death of the Year

Health officials confirmed Wednesday the state’s first West Nile virus-related death of the year.

The Cook County Department of Public Health said lab results showed West Nile virus contributed to the death of a suburban Cook County resident in their 60s.

Illinois reported 69 human cases of West Nile virus in 2024, including 13 fatalities — 50 of them in Cook County.

“The year’s first death from West Nile virus in Illinois is a sobering reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses are still with us,” said Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. “It’s important to take appropriate precautions as the weather remains warm. We urge everyone to ‘Fight the Bite’ by practicing the three R’s: Reduce opportunities for exposure to mosquitoes. Repel insect bites by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent. Report stagnant water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes to your local health department.”

Officials recommend these precautions to limit mosquito bites and the spread of West Nile virus:

Drain standing water around homes to prevent mosquito breeding.
Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing 20%–50% DEET for adults or 20%–25% DEET for children.
Limit or avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Repair torn screens and seal gaps in windows and doors.

West Nile virus spreads through bites from mosquitoes infected after feeding on infected birds. Case counts are typically underestimated because most people show mild or no symptoms.

“Although most people never get ill from (West Nile) infection, some may develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, rash and body aches three to 15 days after infection,” health officials said. “Severe symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness and brain inflammation, which may cause permanent neurological damage or death.”

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