Human Case of West Nile Virus Confirmed in Evanston

The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed that a 66-year-old Evanston resident has West Nile virus.  This is the first case of the virus reported in Evanston this year and the second reported in all of Illinois.

So far this year, 25 Illinois counties have reported mosquito batches or birds testing positive for West Nile virus, according to the city.  Evanston Health Department Manager of Environmental Health Carl Caneva recently told Evanston Patch that mosquitos in the city tested positive for West Nile in July.

Typically, Caneva said, once the mosquitoes test positive it's a month before a bird will test positive, and a human case is not too far off.

West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.  Mosquitos pick up the virus by feeding on dead birds and can then transfer it to humans. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Human cases of the virus are not usually reported until July or later in Illinois, according to a City of Evanston alert about the virus.

"Each part of Evanston's been treated once for mosquitoes this year and the far southern regions have been treated twice this year," said Dave Zazra, communications manager for the abatement district.

Caneva said there are no plans to continue spraying, but said the frosty fall weather will soon kill off the mosquito population.

Until then Caneva said it's important to make sure to clear all standing water, to avoid peak mosquito hours and to use repellent.