BRIDGEVIEW, IL — Health officials confirmed Wednesday the first human West Nile virus-related death of the year in Illinois occurred in suburban Cook County. The Cook County Department of Public Health said the resident was in their 60s.
Laboratory testing showed that the West Nile virus was a contributing factor to the resident’s death. The virus occurs in humans when they are bitten by mosquitoes that contracted the virus by feeding on infected birds.
“The year’s first death from West Nile virus in Illinois is a sobering reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses are still with us,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “It’s important to take appropriate precautions as the weather remains warm.”
RELATED: Get more West Nile virus prevention tips here: Fight the Bite Cook County – Cook County Department of Public Health.
Officials said the risk of West Nile virus remains high in suburban Cook County. Since May 11, when surveillance began, through Sept. 6, there have been 33 cases of West Nile virus in the area, a number that is almost double the number of cases from last year. Of those cases, 22 have been neuroinvasive, which means the central nervous system was affected, according to CCDPH.
In 2024, there were 19 West Nile virus cases and five deaths reported in suburban Cook County. Overall in Illinois, there were 69 human cases of West Nile virus, including 50 in Cook County (including Chicago), and 13 fatalities last year.
Most cases of West Nile virus infection have either mild or no symptoms and may go unreported, so case counts are underestimates.
Officials are urging Illinois residents to “Fight the Bite” by practicing what it calls 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.
“As long as mosquitoes are flying around, people are at risk of mosquito bites and of contracting West Nile virus,” Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. Kiran Joshi said. “Everyone should take steps to protect themselves from West Nile virus, especially seniors, who are at higher risk for severe illness and death.”
