By Howard Packowitz

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has its first human West Nile virus-related death this year, and it happened a month earlier than last year’s first fatal case.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said a LaSalle County resident, who was older than 65, died after becoming sick in early August.

Health Department spokesperson Melaney Arnold said the first human death last year was not confirmed until the end of September.

“Last year, we saw 90 human cases of West Nile virus, and that did include eight deaths. So far this year, we do have 22 human cases and the one death,” said Arnold.

Evidence of West Nile virus turned up last week in the small Logan County community of Beason, where a batch of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus.

A batch of the bugs tested positive earlier this month in Pontiac, and mosquitoes collected in June from a trap in Bloomington also tested positive for the virus.

The health department advises people to continue taking precautions until there’s a hard frost. The department recommends wearing insect repellent that contains DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin.

“Get rid of any standing water that might be around your house where mosquitoes can breed,” Arnold also said.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]