The Cook County Department of Public Health has confirmed the first human West Nile virus-related death in suburban Cook County and Illinois this year. A suburban Cook County resident, who was aged in their 60s, has died. Lab testing has confirmed that West Nile was a contributing factor in the resident’s death.

West Nile occurs in humans when they are bitten by mosquitoes that contracted the virus by feeding on infected birds.

The risk of West Nile virus in suburban Cook County remains high. Since May 11, when the surveillance period began, through Sept. 6, suburban Cook County has recorded 33 cases of West Nile virus, almost twice the number of cases from last year. Of the total 33 cases, 22 have been neuroinvasive, meaning that the central nervous system was affected. Last year, 19 ca

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