An elderly Cicero man is recovering from the West Nile virus, a potentially life-threatening mosquito-borne illness, county officials announced Wednesday. The man was briefly hospitalized and is now continuing his recovery at home.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can lead to a serious neurological disease. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash, or swollen glands. In severe cases, which are more common among the elderly and can be fatal, patients may experience a sudden high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness, and an altered mental state.
In a separate development, officials also reported that the potentially fatal Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus was detected in mosquitoes trapped on East Taft Road in Cicero.
These findings coincide with a notable increase in the local mosquito population. County data shows that the number of mosquitoes trapped in June nearly doubled compared to the same month last year. While July numbers have decreased from the June peak, they remain slightly above last year’s figures.
“Based on historical patterns, we should assume West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and other mosquito-borne viruses are regularly present in our region,” Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson said in a news release. “It’s important to take routine precautions against mosquito bites throughout the summer, particularly given the elevated mosquito activity we’ve seen so far this year in our surveillance program.”
The county has provided a full list of symptoms and prevention measures on its website for residents seeking more information.
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