(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — DuPage County residents are being urged to take precautions, after the county's first confirmed human case of West Nile virus this year.
Chris Hoff, the deputy director of public health in DuPage County, says a Villa Park resident in their 20s tested positive for the virus after showing symptoms early last month.
Hoff says the number of mosquitoes in DuPage County testing positive for West Nile Virus has risen in recent weeks.
“Mosquitoes are the most common way people are infected with West Nile virus. So preventing mosquito bites is the key thing that people can do to protect themselves,” Hoff said.
“That becomes more important later in the summer as we see more mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus as we have over the past few weeks.”
Hoff recommends draining standing water where mosquitoes can breed, as well as using insect repellent containing DEET.
He also suggests wearing long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes if you're outside at dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
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