Local News

West Nile Cases Up From Last Year

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:19:12 CDT
(Springfield)--Six people have died of West Nile Virus in Illinois this year as the number of human cases continues to climb. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health the virus as sickened 179 people in Illinois this year. Last year the state had only 34 cases where three people died.

This year's mild winter, early spring, and very solid hot summer created excellent breeding conditions for the mosquito that carries the virus. According to federal health officials, infections are expected to continue into October, even as the height of the mosquito season has passed.