First human case of West Nile reported in DuPage County

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Illinois Department of Public Health has recorded the first human case of West Nile virus for 2010.

The DuPage County Health Department reported a woman in her 50s contracted the illness in early August, according to a release from the state health department.

Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold says the department is seeing a rapid increase in West Nile activity in mosquitoes and hot weather through September will likely contribute to further increases.

Egyptian Public and Mental Health Department trapped West Nile infected mosquitoes in Shawneetown and Ridgway earlier this summer. None have been reported so far in Saline County.

Emptying vessels of stagnant water, wearing long sleeves and pants, applications of insect repellent containing DEET and repairing torn screens can help prevent human cases of West Nile.