Chicago man diagnosed with West Nile virus

Officials at the Chicago Department of Public Health are trying to find out how a 47-year-old man contracted West Nile encephalitis.

Department spokesman Tim Hadac says a check of all of the mosquito traps in the man's neighborhood have failed to turn up any evidence of the virus, The Chicago Daily Southtown reported Friday.

The victim, who became ill last month, is in a coma.

He is the sixth person to be diagnosed with West Nile in Illinois this year, the state's public health department said.

Last year, 10 people died of West Nile virus in Illinois and 215 human cases were reported.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds.

Many people who are bitten by the virus-carrying mosquitoes fail to exhibit any symptoms while others develop fever, headache and body aches between three and 14 days after being bitten.

More serious cases progress to encephalitis and meningitis.

People older than 50 have the highest risk of becoming ill.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Citation: Chicago man diagnosed with West Nile virus (2007, August 3) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2007-08-chicago-west-nile-virus.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Researchers reveal prevalence of persistent symptoms in patients with microscopic colitis

 shares

Feedback to editors