West Nile Virus Discovered in DuPage County

According to a release from the DuPage County Health Department Friday, the county’s first positive test for West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2011 came from mosquitoes trapped in Lemont on July 6 and tested on July 7.

“The wet and cool spring that the county experienced this year delayed the development of the mosquitoes that spread the WNV,” the release read. “The hotter temperatures we are now experiencing are more conducive to the spread of WNV.”

According to the health department, humans become infected with WNV when bit by a mosquito carrying the virus after feeding on an infected bird.

“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,” the release read.

So far in 2011, no human cases of WNV have been reported in DuPage County.

Interested DuPage residents can track WNV in their community by visiting www.dupagehealth.org/wnv-map.

The health department is also collecting freshly dead birds that are without signs of decay or trauma for WNV testing. To report a dead bird, call (630) 682-7400.