Story thread · 23 reports / 20 sources

Chicago just had its first West Nile death of the year. Here’s how to protect yourself.

suntimes.com · 12dShare

Chicago health officials just reported the first death of 2026 due to the mosquito-borne disease West Nile Virus, signaling the threat that the pests pose even as summer winds down. The city has sprayed to kill mosquitoes in 15 communities so far this year. The threat of West Nile has ranged from moderate to very high this summer. The virus, also detected in the suburbs , can infect many people who may have mild flu-like symptoms or none at all. However, it can be deadly in older adults and anyone with a weak immune system. There are a number of effective precautions to take, ranging from well-tested repellents to ward off biters and steps that should be taken by everyone to stop the mosquito population from growing. Read the repellent label It’s key to understand the active ingredient in any repellent. Use sprays or balms that have at least 30% of an ingredient approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, experts say. DEET, picaridin and lemon eucalyptus oil are common EPA-ap

First report: Orange County warns of West Nile virus as mosquito activity increases — wesh.com, 15d