US EditionFirst Human West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Illinois
- Federal health officials have verified the initial human case of West Nile virus in Illinois for 2025, involving a hospitalized resident from Wayne County in the southern part of the state.
- This early-season illness represents the earliest confirmed human West Nile virus infection in Illinois since 2016 and comes after mosquitoes testing positive were identified in 19 counties starting May 9.
- West Nile virus transmits through Culex mosquito bites, which become carriers by feeding on infected birds, and it poses highest risk to people over 65 or with weakened immune systems.
- Last year, Illinois reported 69 human cases and 13 deaths, the most fatal cases since 2018, and IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra urged all Illinoisans to 'Fight the Bite' by taking precautions.
- Health officials warn residents statewide to protect against mosquito bites as most infections cause mild symptoms, but severe illness can affect the brain or cause paralysis in rare cases.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Illinois reports first human West Nile virus case
WAYNE COUNTY, Ill. - The first human case of West Nile virus this year has been confirmed in Illinois, marking the earliest appearance of the illness in the state since 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the case involves a person from southern Illinois who was hospitalized due to complications from the infection. This case is the only confirmed human instance of West Nile virus in Illinois so far this year,…
Illinois reports their first human case of the West Nile Virus for 2025 - KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KBSI) — Health officials are warning residents across southern Illinois and southeast Missouri to take precautions against the West Nile virus. This comes after Illinois has their first confirmed human case of the virus this year, reported in Wayne County. “This marks the earliest positive case in Illinois since 2016,” said Shawnna Rhine, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Southern Seven Health Department. Rhine is remindi…
First human West Nile Virus case confirmed in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — Illinois had its first confirmed human case of the West Nile Virus Tuesday, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The confirmed case is an individual from southern Illinois who was hospitalized due to complications of the infection. The case marks the earliest onset of illness observed in Illinois since 2016, and underscores the risk posed by mosquito bites, especially to those who are over 6…
Chicago Tribune
Public health officials confirm state’s first human West Nile case of the year
The first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois has been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state agency announced Tuesday evening that a southern Illinois resident tested positive for the virus after being hospitalized. This is the earliest in the year that a human case of West Nile has been observed in Illinois since 2016, officials said. While this is the first hum…
Southern Illinois sees early West Nile virus case in 2025
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