Tuesday - Sep 01, 2015
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first two human West Nile virus related deaths in Illinois for 2015. The Cook County Department of Public Health reported a resident in their 90's became ill at the end of August and has died. Separately, the Kendall County Health Department reported a resident in their 70's became ill at the end of July and has died.
"Although we're getting closer to the end of summer, you still can be at risk of getting West Nile virus," said Illinois Department of Public Health Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. "It's important for everyone to continue taking precautions like wearing insect repellent and staying indoors between dusk and dawn."
IDPH reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this year on August 19, 2015. Last year there were 44 human cases, including four deaths. Cases in human are underreported.
Read the full press relase. (PDF)