St. Clair County reports first West Nile virus death of 2015 | Belleville News-Democrat

St. Clair County recorded its first West Nile virus-related death of 2015 over the weekend, with the reported passing of an elderly woman, according to Marsha Wild, the head of infectious disease control for St. Clair County.

Wild declined to release more details about the woman’s death.

“We have to be very careful about health-protected information,” she said.

Mosquitoes are the main form of transmission of West Nile, with birds the most commonly infected creature and serving as the chief reservoir host.

Health officials advise that the best way to avoid West Nile virus is to stay away from mosquitoes, especially between dusk and nightfall, when mosquitoes are most active.