Tazewell County reports its first human West Nile death of the year

Posted on November 6, 2024

*^{More severe cases have a high fever, tremors and convulsions, with the most severe cases leading to paralysis and death. (WJBC File Photo)}*

By WMBD-TV

TAZEWELL COUNTY – The Tazewell County Health Department is reporting the first human death related to the West Nile Virus in the county this year.

According to the health department, the 70-year-old Tazewell County resident started showing symptoms in mid-October. This is the ninth West Nile related death in Illinois this year.

The health department has also reported one non-fatal human case of West Nile earlier this year.

The virus is usually transferred to people from infected mosquitos. Most people don’t have symptoms, but those with mild symptoms may have a slight fever and headache.

More severe cases have a high fever, tremors and convulsions, with the most severe cases leading to paralysis and death.

People 50 and older or immunocompromised are at the highest risk.

More information is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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