Risk Of West Nile Virus High In DuPage County: DCHD

DUPAGE COUNTY — The risk of West Nile Virus in DuPage County is high, according to data shared by DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) Wednesday.

The health department uses a 0 to 3 personal protection index to rank the level of West Nile Virus cases in the county. Zero means there is no risk, a rating of one indicates a low risk, a rating of two indicates a moderate risk and a rating of three indicates a high risk.

As of Wednesday, the personal protection index, which is updated weekly, showed a rating of three, which indicates "multiple human cases" of West Nile Virus have been reported in DuPage County per the health department's most recent data.

DuPage County confirmed its the season's first case of West Nile Virus in July in a Glen Ellyn resident in their 50s. In September, DCHD reported the county's first human death from West Nile Virus for the season.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions that include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors, wearing mosquito repellant with DEET and removing standing water when possible.