DuPage County Health Department is reporting the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in DuPage County and Illinois for 2020. A Darien resident in her 40s recently became ill and is recovering.
According to the DuPage County Health Department, WNV is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. Approximately one in five people who are infected with WNV will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than one percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). However, the chances you will become severely ill from one mosquito bite are extremely small. For more information about WNV, visit the DuPage County Health Department's West Nile Virus website.
While there are NO human cases to report in Carol Stream, continue to practice the 4 D’s of Defense to protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
- Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
- Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
- Dusk to Dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
To report high mosquito activity levels/standing water and receive automated notifications prior to future adult-mosquito applications:
For more mosquito resources, visit our Living With Mosquitoes page.
*** UPDATE as of 3:45 p.m. on 9/10/20***
DuPage County Health Department's West Nile Virus (WNV) surveillance program, which sets traps around DuPage County to catch and test mosquitoes for WNV, detected a WNV-positive test near St. Charles Rd. and Westgate Dr. (along the Great Western Trail) today. The Village’s mosquito abatement contractor, Clarke Mosquito, regularly checks the area for breeding activity and applies larvicide and spraying, as needed.
There are NO human cases of WNV to report in Carol Stream.
