Two Aurora Residents Confirmed to Have West Nile Virus, Kane County Health Department Says

Two people who live in Aurora, Illinois, have been confirmed to have West Nile virus, the Kane County Health Department announced on Thursday. Both patients developed a serious form of the illness and had to be taken to the hospital. Health officials say these are the first confirmed West Nile virus cases in Kane County for 2026.

West Nile virus is mostly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito picks up the virus after feeding on an infected bird. In most cases, people do not spread the virus to each other.

Illinois reported its first human West Nile case of the year late last month in Piatt County, which is near Champaign. Since then, the state has recorded around a dozen cases in 2026. Earlier this week, a person in Chicago died from the virus, making it the state's first West Nile death of the year.

Last year, Illinois saw 150 human cases of West Nile virus, including five in Kane County alone. Ten people in the state died from it in 2025. These numbers show why health officials take the virus seriously every mosquito season.

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus never feel sick at all. However, about one in five people may get a fever, headaches, body aches, or joint pain. In rare cases, the virus can cause very serious problems like paralysis, meningitis, or encephalitis, and it can even lead to death. People over the age of 60 and those with weak immune systems face the highest risk of getting very sick.

Kane County Health Department Executive Director Michael Isaacson is encouraging everyone in the community to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. He pointed out that there is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus in humans, so preventing bites is the best defense. The health department is also working with local partners to watch for and reduce the spread of the virus.

There are several simple things people can do to lower their chances of getting bitten. Using an insect repellent that is registered with the EPA is one good step. Wearing long sleeves and pants, especially from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active, also helps. It is important to dump out standing water from flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, and pet dishes at least once a week, because mosquitoes breed in still water. Keeping window and door screens in good shape and trimming tall grass and weeds are also helpful ways to keep mosquitoes away.