A Jackson County man is the second Illinois resident to be diagnosed with the West Nile virus this year, the state public health director announced Monday.
A 39-year-old Downstate man became ill on June 11, did not require hospital treatment and has since recovered. A blood sample taken July 12 tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, said Dr. Eric Whitaker, state public health director.
Illinois’ first case this year, a 67-year-old man from Jo Daviess County, was announced Thursday. He was hospitalized and is recovering at home.
In 2003, Illinois recorded 54 human cases of West Nile, including one death. In 2002, the state led the nation with 884 human cases and 66 deaths. So far this year, tests on birds and mosquitoes have come up positive for the disease in 36 counties.
