Suburban Cook County Resident is First Person in Illinois to Die From…

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

A suburban Cook County resident is the first reported person in Illinois to die from the West Nile virus this year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The health department reported Wednesday the individual had an onset of West Nile virus symptoms in early August and died soon after. The person was in their 90s.

IDPH has reported 11 non-fatal cases of West Nile virus this year in the state. Of the 12 total cases of West Nile virus the agency has seen, seven of those cases were reported in Cook County, including two in Chicago.

The agency reported the first death following testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that confirmed the case was related to the West Nile virus.

“This death and the 11 additional cases are a stark reminder that West Nile virus poses a serious risk, especially to older people and those with weakened immune systems,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in a news…