14 more cases of West Nile reported in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Public health officials reported 14 new cases of West Nile Virus on Tuesday.

The mosquito-borne disease has killed 41 of the 675 people in Illinois who have been infected this year.

Illinois has the most deaths and cases of any state. Nationally, among 2,991 cases, 162 people have died, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest Illinois cases were reported in Chicago; suburban Cook County; DuPage, Kane, Macoupin and Peoria counties; and the first case in Mason County.

Forty-six of the state's 102 counties have reported cases.

Many people bitten by infected mosquitoes show no symptoms or mild ones.

For others -- such as the elderly -- the virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis.

People should cover exposed skin, use mosquito repellant with DEET, and avoid the outdoors during dusk, early evening and dawn, according to the health department.

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On the Net:

Illinois Department of Public Health, http://www.idph.state.il.us