Southern Illinois woman added to West Nile virus casualty list

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A Jackson County woman has died from the West Nile virus, bringing the state's death toll from the mosquito-borne illness to 33, the Illinois Public Health Department said Tuesday.

The 70-year-old woman died Saturday. She became ill Aug. 31.

Illinois has the most deaths from West Nile in the nation.

The state also reported 16 new human cases of West Nile -- including the first in Henry County -- bringing the total number of human cases to 599.

The human cases have been identified in 42 of the state's 102 counties.

In addition to Henry County, the new cases are in DuPage and Kane counties, as well as the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Hard to detect

Most people who get infected with the mosquito-borne virus either have no symptoms or develop only mild ones.

Some people -- especially those who are older -- may develop a more severe form of the disease, such as encephalitis or meningitis.

State health officials urge people to protect themselves by avoiding being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active. People who do go out when mosquitoes are most active are urged to wear long-sleeved shirts and repellent containing DEET.

Officials expect the West Nile problem will subside when a hard frost ends the mosquito season.