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County Sees First West Nile Death This Year Unidentified Man Had Been Hospitalized for 10 Days Prior

Posted on: Thursday, 8 September 2005, 21:00 CDT

An 85-year-old Lake County man died Monday of complications from West Nile virus after being hospitalized for 10 days.

The man, who officials would identify only as being from the southeast part of the county, was hospitalized Aug. 26, but the disease's onset occurred a couple of weeks ago. His health rapidly declined, a health department official said.

This is the second reported human case of the virus in Lake County in two weeks and the first fatality of the year. Late last month, a 64-year-old woman from central Lake County became ill from the virus. She is recovering.

Lake County had one other West Nile death in 2002. Health officials say they have been in a heightened state of alert for a few weeks now.

"We know that West Nile activity is high this year," said Mike Adam, a Lake County health department biologist.

Officials are asking towns, mainly in the southern and central parts of the county, to spray for adult mosquitoes.

"Reality is that West Nile is an issue throughout the county," Adam said. "There are some communities that do the minimum, and we are encouraging them to do a little bit more this year just because of the infection rates that we're finding."

So far, 12 dead birds and up to 120 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus. As of Tuesday, there have been 93 infected humans and two West Nile virus deaths statewide.

Those infected usually exhibit flu-like symptoms known as West Nile fever. But both the county's infected individuals had the more severe form of symptoms known as encephalitis meningitis.

"It causes swelling in the brain that can lead to a lot of neurological problems, as well as paralysis, coma, death," Adam said.

The disease can affect all ages but has occurred mostly in people older than 45 years.

"We are encouraging people who do have older parents to check in on them," Adam said.

Adam said a majority of those exposed to West Nile from a mosquito bite do not show any signs of the virus.

"There are people who naturally develop immunity to the disease," he said. "But there have been cases of perfectly healthy people that have severe symptoms such as paralysis."

There is no preventive medication for the virus.

Officials are asking county residents to wear insect repellent and protective clothing while outdoors. The most critical periods for mosquito activity are at dawn and dusk.

To report dead birds, areas of stagnant water where mosquitoes might breed, or for more information about the virus, call the health department hotline at (847) 377-8300.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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