West Nile Virus Sends Naperville Man To Hospital: Will Co. Health Dept

NAPERVILLE, IL — A 74-year-old man from Naperville was hospitalized with a case of the West Nile Virus (WNV), marking Will County's first human case of the virus in 2023.

According to the Will County Health Department, that man was hospitalized in early August and was reported as "recovering" as of Aug. 25.

As of late August, the Illinois Department of Public Health has logged 12 human cases of the West Nile Virus. A suburban Cook County resident in their 90s died of West Nile Virus at the start of August, marking the state's first human death of WNV.

In Will County, 10 monitoring sites have detected mosquitos that carry the virus. The communities where the virus was detected in mosquito traps are:

• Bolingbrook
• Crete
• Frankfort
• Homer Glen
• Joliet
• Lockport
• Manhattan
• Mokena
• Plainfield
• Shorewood

Residents are urged to take measures to protect themselves against West Nile Virus, with the Will County Health Department recommending:

• Eliminating standing water
• Report public places where you spot standing water
• Sealing window screens tightly to prevent mosquito entry
• Using insect repellant that has DEET in it, IR 3535 or oil of lemon and eucalyptus
• Wearing socks, shoes, long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors

Symptoms of West Nile Virus can include a fever, headache, joint pains, a rash and vomiting.