The Illinois Department of Public Health announces that they have their 1st confirmed human case of the West Nile virus for 2019.  The man was a resident from Chicago, who was in his 70s, and became ill in late July.  Last year 74 counties had a positive case of the virus, with 176 human cases and 17 deaths.  The West Nile Virus is transmitted through a bite of a mosquito that picked up the virus through an infected bird.  Some symptoms of the virus includes fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches.  These symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the person.  People who are older than 60, or those who have a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of suffering a severe illness from the virus.  IDPB officials say you need to reduce, repel and report all cases of the West Nile Virus.  You can reduce by making sure all doors and windows are tight and shut.  You can repel by wearing shoes and socks, long pants and a long sleeved shirt, with insect repellent on.  And you need to report locations where there is water sitting stagnant for over a week, in a ditch, flooded yard or a similar location that could produce mosquito larvae.  No reports have come in of the West Nile Virus in Washington County.