IDPH: First 2015 human West Nile case found

Posted on August 19, 2015
(WJBC file photo)
West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

SPRINGFIELD – The first human West Nile Virus case in the state this year has been found.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said the case was reported by the St. Clair County Health Department after an adolescent female became ill this month.

IDPH said common symptoms of West Nile are ever, nausea, headache and muscle aches.  However, four out of five people infected will not show symptoms. People over 50 and those with a compromised immune system are at the highest risk for West Nile.

44 human West Nile cases were reported in Illinois in 2014, four of those resulted in death.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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