The latest case was a 64-year-old who was hospitalized.
Kane County's West Nile virus cases continued into this month, bringing the 2012 total to 12.
A 64-year-old man from Aurora was hospitalized this month, but has since been discharged, according to the Kane County Health Department.
The County Health Department stopped West Nile monitoring activities last month with the onset of the cold weather, but will continue to report any new cases once a week on Wednesdays.
This is the most West Nile cases Kane County has had since 2007. During that year, the county recorded 13 human West Nile Virus cases.
The Illinois Public Health Department has recorded 245 cases statewide this year, including 10 deaths, as compared to 34 cases and three deaths last year.
The other Kane County cases reported this year include:
View an interactive map of West Nile virus cases in the Chicago suburbs.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness.
Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Kane County Health Department’s Web site at www.kanehealth.com/west_nile.htm or the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm. People also can call the IDPH West Nile Virus Hotline at (866) 369-9710 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In active partnership with our community, the Kane County Health Department improves the quality of life and well-being of all residents by developing and implementing local policies, systems, and services that protect and promote health, and prevent disease, injury and disability.
