First West Nile Virus Related Death Reported in Illinois First
human Southern Illinois West Nile Virus Case Also Reported; IDPH
Urges Vigilance Protecting against Infection CHICAGO – The
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the
first West Nile virus related death in Illinois for 2012. A
DuPage County man in his 70s, who had underlying health
conditions, was diagnosed with West Nile virus earlier this
month and died last weekend. The first human case of West Nile
virus also was reported in Southern Illinois. The Crawford
County Health Department confirmed that a woman in her 80s
tested positive for West Nile Virus. “This year there are record
levels of West Nile virus activity nationwide and very high
mosquito activity in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar
Hasbrouck. “We urge people to continue to protect themselves by
following the three R’s – reduce exposure to mosquitoes, repel
them by wearing insect repellent, and report areas where
mosquitoes typically breed.” Through the second w