Officials announced that a Cary man has become the second person this year in Illinois to die from West Nile virus, the first West Nile death in McHenry County in six years.
The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) said Friday the individual was in their 80s and developed symptoms in August before dying from the illness.
The death marks the first West Nile virus death in McHenry County since 2018. It is the second West Nile virus death in 2024 in Illinois.
Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said the decedent was an 84-year-old man who resided in Cary.
He died at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington on Wednesday after being in the hospital since late last month.
The health department announced his case to the public last week as a warning.
Late last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the state’s first human West Nile virus death in a Lake County resident in their 80s, who had an onset of symptoms in mid-August and died soon after.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports there have been 34 human cases of West Nile virus in 2024.
The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Culex species mosquito approximately two to 14 days later.
The MCDH said illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, vomiting, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible.
Those 60 years of age or older or who have serious underlying health conditions are at higher risk for developing severe symptoms.
The MCDH said mosquitoes typically breed in stagnant water high like abandoned swimming pools, bird baths, buckets, clogged gutters and rimless tires.
“The first and best defense against mosquito-borne illness is to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites on your property by emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens,” the MCDH said.
Health officials also recommend residents use insect repellents approved by the EPA.