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A Chicago resident has died from West Nile virus, marking the city’s first death linked to the mosquito-borne illness this year, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Several other cases have been reported throughout Illinois.
The virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, although the disease cycle also includes infected birds. When mosquitoes feed on infected birds, they can pick up the virus and transmit it to humans.
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“2026 has seen the rainiest summer in Chicago in years, giving mosquitoes ample opportunities to breed,” CDPH Commissioner Garth Walker said in a statement.
“The best way to protect yourself from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites and take measures to stop them from breeding around your home.”
A Chicago resident has died from West Nile virus, marking the city’s first death linked to the mosquito-borne illness this year, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. (iStock)
In an attempt to prevent infections, the CDPH has sprayed insecticide in the following community areas: Beverly, Burnside, Chatham, East Garfield Park, the Lower West Side, Morgan Park, the Near West Side, North Lawndale, O’Hare, Pullman, Roseland, South Deering, Washington Heights, West Lawn and West Pullman.
Symptoms and treatment
For most people, West Nile produces mild symptoms — such as fever, aches and rashes — or none at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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In rare serious cases, the virus invades the nervous system, causing meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), paralysis or death.
People over 50 or those with compromised immune systems are at highest risk, experts caution.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, although the disease cycle also includes infected birds. (iStock)
“Of those who do have symptoms, about 20%, maybe 25%, will have the flu-like symptoms — fever, headache, body aches — and it’s very hard to distinguish between that and flu,” Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious diseases and addiction medicine doctor and associate professor at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, told Digital.
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There are also rare, severe neuroinvasive cases, when the virus infects the brain.
“When there’s inflammation that leads to meningitis or encephalitis, that’s very bad,” warned Evans, who is also the CEO and chief medical officer for Wellness Equity Alliance.
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“So if there’s ever any severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation, vision loss, feeling like you’re just really confused, and if you’re over the age of 65, or have immunocompromising conditions like severe diabetes or cancers, that’s when you’re going to want to seek emergency management as quickly as possible.”
While there are no vaccines or specific treatments for West Nile virus, there are supportive treatments.
For most people, West Nile produces mild symptoms — such as fever, aches and rashes — or none at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)
“For the flu-like symptoms, generally speaking, if you’re not over the age of 65 and you’re not immunocompromised, you don’t have to go to the emergency room,” Evans advised.
“But if you are over the age of 65 and/or have those immunocompromising conditions, and you’re starting to experience confusion, headache, stiff neck … ER immediately, [call] 911.”
Prevention tips
Avoiding mosquito bites is the first line of defense, according to Evans.
“In areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes, DEET is going to be key,” he said, recommending repellents that are at least 30% DEET for adults.
In high-burden mosquito areas, he also recommends avoiding the outdoors during sundown.
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Health officials also recommend wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing; applying insect repellent (especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active); and ensuring that window screens are secure.
Around homes, eliminating standing water (like that found in buckets, tires and gutters) can help keep mosquitoes from breeding.
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There have been 407 reported human cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. this year, including 285 severe neuroinvasive cases and 23 deaths, according to the latest preliminary CDC data, current as of Sept. 1.
Most West Nile cases are reported in August and September.
