First human case of West Nile in IL reported by Chicago health officials

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An elderly North Side woman reported as the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this summer is recovering in her home.

The Chicago Department of Public Health reported the woman, a West Ridge neighborhood resident in her 70s, contracted the virus in July. She is now recovering at home.

Last year, 117 human cases were reported in Illinois with 11 deaths, the state Department of Public Health said in the statement.

In late May, a bird and mosquito collected in downstate Illinois were the first to test positive for West Nile this year, the department said.

West Nile is transmitted through a mosquito that has contracted the virus from feeding on an infected bird, the department said. Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches.

The city will spray insecticide in parts of Norwood Park, Portage Park and Dunning on Wednesday. On Thursday, parts of Humboldt Park, East Garfield Park and West Garfield Park will be sprayed, the health department said.

See maps of where the city will spray for mosquitos on Wednesday and Thursday.

The areas will be targeted from dusk until about 1 a.m. both days in what will be the season's first spraying for adult mosquitoes.

"When our mosquito traps indicate that the West Nile Virus may threaten human health in a community, we take decisive action," CDPH Commissioner Bechara Choucair said in the statement. "Even though this summer has been cooler than average, we all must take appropriate precautions."

West Nile-positive bird and mosquito samples have been collected from 32 counties so far this year, including Will, Kane and Cook counties. At this time last year, the virus was reported in 49 counties, officials said.

Indiana's first human case of the virus was reported earlier this month in Porter County, Ind.

For more information on West Nile virus and spraying locations, click here.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.