Third human case of West Nile virus in Illinois reported in DuPage County
The DuPage County Health Department confirmed the case on Thursday.
The department said the individual is a Glen Ellyn resident in their 50s, and the onset of symptoms was mid-July.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first confirmed in June that a person downstate, specifically in Southern Illinois, was hospitalized due to complications of the virus.
The second was confirmed in Lake County on July 16. The resident was said to be in their 70s and became ill earlier in the month.
Symptoms of West Nile virus
While most people infected with the virus do not feel sick, about one in five will develop a fever and flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms include body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
Severe illness can occur in about one in 150 people and is most likely to occur in people over age 55 or with weakened immune systems.
How to prevent it
West Nile virus is spread to people from infected mosquitoes, most commonly in the summer. Eight out of 10 people infected do not develop symptoms, according to the CDC.
Residents are also reminded to practice the three "R's"– reduce the number of mosquitoes and remove containers outside that hold water, repel mosquitoes by using insect repellent, and report areas where water sits for more than a week.
There are no medications to treat the virus. The only way to combat the virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
12 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Mosquitoes on Hamilton Mountain test positive for West Nile virus
A cluster of mosquitoes trapped this week in Hamilton has tested positive for West Nile virus. The batch, found on the central Mountain, marks the first group of the buzzing insects to be found with the virus this year, according to a city media release. The discovery also prompted the medical officer of health to raise the city's risk level for the virus from low to moderate. 'In the warmer months, it is important to take precautions to avoid illnesses spread by insects, including West Nile virus and Lyme disease,' said Dr. Bart Harvey, associate medical officer of health, in a statement. To prevent getting bitten by the bloodsucking bugs, residents are reminded to protect themselves while outside and also remove standing water on their property to prevent mosquito breeding. For those who plan on spending time outdoors, Harvey advises residents to use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin and wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing that covers both arms and legs. Residents should also ensure they are covered up and sprayed down if they plan on being in wooded areas, on the golf course or working in gardens at dusk or dawn, when the pests are most active. The city noted roughly 80 per cent of people infected with the virus will show no symptoms, but seniors and immunocompromised folks could experience fevers, headaches and body aches, as well as confusion, muscle weakness and sensitivity to light. Less than one per cent of people with the virus develop other serious illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Since 2019, at least 71 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus, with the highest number recorded in 2023, with 29 infected batches, according to city data . In that same period, at least 15 Hamiltonians tested positive for the virus. There have been no animal or human cases so far this year. As part of the city's West Nile surveillance and prevention program, staff recently completed a second round of larvicide treatments on street catch basins. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Health Line
39 minutes ago
- Health Line
Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 After Cardiac Arrest
Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan reportedly had heart-related health issues for years before dying after experiencing cardiac arrest this week. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, and inadequate exercise among the factors. Experts say regular doctor visits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can lower one's risk of heart disease. The prevalence and dangers of heart disease are once again a prime medical topic after the death of former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan. Hogan, whose birth name was Terry Bollea, died at the age of 71 after authorities say he experienced cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. No official cause of death has been released yet. For the past decade, there have been reports that Hogan had been living with a number of health issues. He reportedly had surgeries for back injuries as well as heart-related issues. A story published today quotes a family member saying that Hogan knew his heart was failing. The family member said Hogan had lost significant weight. He was also experiencing shortness of breath and getting tired easily. If it's confirmed that Hogan died due to heart disease, his case would not be unusual. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 900,000 people died from cardiovascular disease in the U.S. in 2023, about one-third of all deaths reported. Heart disease accounts for about one in four deaths of women in the U.S. every year. Symptoms are different for women than men. The CDC reports that every year, more than 800,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack. About 600,000 of those cases are first-time heart attacks. A June 2025 report from the American Heart Association noted that during the past 50 years, the overall death rate in the U.S. from heart disease has declined by 66% and deaths from heart attacks have dropped by 90%. These reductions are attributed to advances in public health measures focused on prevention and lifesaving interventions to improve early diagnosis and treatment. However, the report also noted there are major shifts in the types of heart disease people are dying from, with significant increases in deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease. The many ways heart disease endangers your health Heart disease is an umbrella term encompassing a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. They include: arrhythmia atherosclerosis cardiomyopathy congenital heart defects coronary artery disease (CAD) Heart disease can't be cured, but medications, procedures, and lifestyle changes can help moderate symptoms. Many people with heart disease don't experience symptoms until they have a heart attack. 'Symptoms aren't always prevalent, so early detection can be difficult,' said Rigved Tadwalkar, MD, FACC, a consultative cardiologist and director of the Digital Transformation Pacific Heart Institute in Santa Monica, California. 'A lot of people go undetected and aren't really paying attention to their bodies,' Tadwalkar told Healthline. Experts say the consequences are nothing to take lightly. 'Heart disease can potentially lead to many types of serious and possibly deadly consequences, including heart attack, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and stroke,' said Cheng-Han Chen, MD, an interventional cardiologist and the medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. There are screenings that can be done to check for heart disease. They include: electrocardiogram (EKG) echocardiogram (ECG) stress test carotid ultrasound blood tests Experts say these tests can provide vital information to medical professionals. 'Regular visits to your primary care doctor will screen for high blood pressure and obesity, and routine blood tests can screen for high cholesterol and diabetes,' Jeffrey Teuteberg, MD, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University in California, told Healthline. 'For those at risk or with new symptoms, your doctor may order an ECG, stress testing, or a coronary calcium screening.' Tadwalkar said even an annual physical exam by a family doctor can help. 'That alone can catch a significant share of disease potential,' he said. Tadwalkar added that as people age, they might consider seeing a cardiologist on a regular basis. Stacey Rosen, MD, FAHA, the volunteer president of the American Heart Association, agrees that regular check-ups are essential. 'Make sure your healthcare provider is getting baseline information on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose – monitor those regularly as needed,' said Rosen, who is also the executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health, part of Northwell Health. She added it's important for people to know their family history of heart-related issues. 'Some heart disease can be genetic, especially if you have a close family relative who was diagnosed or passed from heart disease at an early age,' Rosen told Healthline. How to maintain good heart health Experts say there are a number of reasons that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Among the factors: High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Diabetes Smoking Sedentary lifestyle An aging population 'Our high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet all contribute to the high prevalence of heart disease,' Chen told Healthline. There are a number of lifestyle habits a person can adopt to lower their risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association has a guideline known as 'Life's Essential 8' that lists them. They are: Healthy diet Regular exercise Quitting tobacco Adequate sleep Weight management Controlling cholesterol Managing blood sugar Managing blood pressure 'Fortunately, there are a lot of things people can do to lower their risk. These include eating a balanced diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight,' said Teuteberg. 'Quitting tobacco use is also an essential part of lowering risk. If you have any of the risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, then close monitoring and management is also really important.' Tadwalkar noted that lifestyle changes can be difficult to establish. He said even small modifications can be beneficial, especially when it comes to exercise. 'Any activity is good,' he said. 'A 10 or 15-minute walk or meditating for 10 or 15 minutes is helpful.' Rosen said a healthy lifestyle can do more than just improve heart health. 'With your clinician, work on a plan to become more active, if you are smoking, stop, work to get a better night's sleep, develop a strategy to manage your weight, control your cholesterol, manage your blood sugar and your blood pressure. This will lead to living a healthier and more productive and joyful life,' she said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. is quietly reshaping vaccine policy. This is the man helping him do it.
'Who is Stuart Burns?' a scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention texted me from the organization's all-hands meeting in June, attaching a photo of a man seated in front of his name card. The 60-year-old conservative with a stout build and a boyish haircut was mostly unknown to the doctors, epidemiologists and officials who had gathered to ask questions about what many have described as the gutting of their agency and the threat many believe its new leaders pose to public health. When asked about the researchers and doctors reportedly aligned with the anti-vaccine movement who had replaced the qualified experts on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a federal vaccine advisory committee, deputy director of public affairs Nina Witkofsky opened the floor to Burns, who was seated at a long table with other agency leaders. 'I'll catch the football on that one,' said Burns, who had been recently appointed as senior adviser to the CDC director (a position that is still sitting vacant). 'We've been working really hard over the past few days — over the weekend in particular — to bring on the new ACIP members,' he said with a smile. Burns said he had been on calls with agency staff, working nights and weekends ahead of the July ACIP meeting, to ensure the replacements were in place — new panelists who, critics later said, would bring anti-vaccine views and conflicts of interest to a group once respected for its scientific rigor and independence. 'We're making good progress,' Burns said, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by MSNBC. He added that several agenda items would be delayed while the new panel got up to speed. Though not everyone in the room recognized him, Burns had been named in an April memo from Matt Buzzelli, the CDC's newly politically appointed chief of staff, announcing interim leadership changes after mass terminations and resignations. But among the CDC's longest-serving employees, especially those in offices related to vaccines, Burns was a known entity. He had been a staffer for congressional Republicans since the early '90s — best known as a key operator for the anti-vaccine movement. Originally from Georgia, Burns spent the last three decades in Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C., with his longest tenure, from 1995 to 2008, as legislative director and deputy chief of staff to former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had wanted Weldon as CDC director, but that nomination was pulled over his anti-vaccine views. But because an adviser position doesn't require Senate confirmation, Kennedy got Weldon's number two. Burns is not a doctor or a scientist. An HHS spokesperson declined to be quoted on the record but defended Burns' management of vaccine projects for the agency. The spokesperson said that Burns had worked on health policy as a legislative aide for congressional Republicans. Burns did not respond to MSNBC's requests for comment. Weldon's office was central to the early-2000s push to link vaccines to autism, and Burns was a key operator within the effort, acting as a liaison among activists and researchers. His work as deputy chief of staff in the early 2000s, chronicled in books and news reports from the time, was also described to MSNBC by long-serving CDC employees and three former legislative staffers who served alongside Burns. He was interviewed several times for a sympathetic history of the period's anti-vaccine activism, 'Evidence of Harm.' Burns facilitated dozens of meetings between anti-vaccine activists and government officials, and arranged access to CDC data for Mark and David Geier, father-son researchers who falsely linked autism to vaccines and served as experts in legal cases alleging vaccine injuries. He coordinated press and lobbying strategies with activists, pushed medical journals to publish anti-vaccine research that had been rejected, and asked anti-vaccine activists to advise on government-funded research. He also publicly discounted studies that debunked purported links between vaccines and autism, and was repeatedly described in books, news articles and autism forums as a tireless behind-the-scenes organizer. One source with knowledge of calls between Weldon's office, CDC staffers and anti-vaccine researchers described Burns as 'explosive.' Burns, they said, organized meetings, brought anti-vaccine researchers like the Geiers onto calls without warning, and repeatedly demanded access to databases containing private patient information. They recalled Burns at times screaming and threatening agency funding, as Weldon sat on the House Appropriations Committee at the time. It's not clear what has motivated his passion over vaccines, but one former CDC staffer who interacted with Burns all those years ago described it as something like a 'religious crusade.' Burns is one of dozens of new political appointees across HHS agencies, some with minimal public health experience and others with clear ties to the anti-vaccine movement that Kennedy helped build. In the last six months, Kennedy has dismantled and partly remade the country's largest federal agency, overseeing the firings of thousands of employees and shuttering programs related to issues including mental health, senior care, cancer, and HIV and AIDS. The CDC has been without a director since March, when Trump withdrew Kennedy's pick, Weldon, and nominated Susan Monarez. Leadership roles have been left vacant or filled with political appointees who lack public health experience. Kennedy has also placed anti-vaccine allies in roles that are reshaping vaccine policy — some subtly, others more overtly — both domestically and abroad. And it is Burns who appears to be leading this network of ideologically aligned staff embedded across HHS agencies. According to meeting recordings, internal communications reviewed by MSNBC and three sources familiar with the situation, Burns has become a central figure in subverting vaccine policy under Kennedy. It's unclear from his job title of 'senior adviser' what Burns is officially tasked with, but officials with knowledge said Burns' duties were, in part, specifically targeting vaccines. In addition to organizing the destruction and rebirth of the ACIP panel, Burns personally ordered the removal of a webpage that hosted a scientific review on the safety of thimerosal, an ingredient falsely linked to autism by anti-vaccine activists. (The ACIP panel ultimately recommended removing the preservative from influenza vaccines.) The decision to remove the report from the website, made after communication with Kennedy's office, broke from standard practice, which allows such panels to act independently of the agency. An HHS spokesperson defended the removal to MSNBC, saying the report had been posted without permission, but did not address Burns' involvement. Kennedy's sweeping plans for vaccines include the re-examination of settled vaccine safety studies, particularly around autism. Kennedy has said that this fall he will announce preliminary findings from a reanalysis of health data — findings that critics, including those inside CDC, say are preordained and are likely to reignite disproven claims around autism and vaccines. Kennedy's overhaul of vaccine policy is also coming amid a growing number of public health emergencies. Measles outbreaks tore through the country this year, hospitalizing hundreds and killing two unvaccinated children. The country's elimination status is under threat while vaccine hesitancy grows: a recent study found that only 40% of pregnant Americans and parents of young children said they plan to follow the recommended vaccine schedule. Meanwhile, Burns appears to be benefitting from a power vacuum. Two Trump loyalists — Heather Flick Melanson, Kennedy's chief of staff, and Hannah Anderson, a senior policy adviser — were fired this week. Key positions, including CDC director and several division heads, remain unfilled. Nearly a third of top HHS leadership positions currently sit vacant, according to the agency's website. With few career leaders in place, political appointees have been operating with unusual authority. Burns has wielded his new power to realize an old dream. 'He's a senior adviser to the director, but there is no director,' said one official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak publicly about the agency. 'And all that he does, all day long, is work in this covert vaccine space.' Dr. Paul Offit, the inventor of a rotavirus vaccine and a longtime critic of Kennedy and the anti-vaccine movement, suggested that Kennedy's actions are like the dinosaur in 'Jurassic Park,' testing the fence before it breaks through. 'Activists have been shouting from the sidelines for decades,' Offit said. 'Now they are making policy.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
