Human West Nile cases tend to peak now

Posted on August 26, 2017
Human cases of West Nile virus are down somewhat this year according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. (Photo Flickr)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The summer may be winding down, but the season for human West Nile cases is ramping up.

People tend to get sick with West Nile this time of year.

One, because they’re out at dusk more often, and two because this is when mosquitoes born in July tend to mature, according to Melanie Arnold with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Arnold said last year, 155 Illinoisans got sick with West Nile. Six of them eventually died.

“So far this year, we have four human cases, and we have mosquitoes and birds testing positive,” Arnold said. “We’re a little bit behind last year, meaning we don’t have as many mosquitoes and birds testing positive. But we’ve seen an up and down with the weather over the past couple of months.”

Arnold said no one has died from West Nile this year.

As always, Arnold said the best bet not to get sick is to wear long sleeves and bug spray if you’re going to be where mosquitoes are at dusk and dawn.

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