Positive test for West Nile virus
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting that the first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus was collected on May 9 in Rockford by the Winnebago County Health Department.
Last year in Illinois, the agency said that 72 Illinois counties reported positive tests for West Nile Virus in mosquitoes, birds, horses or humans. There were 69 confirmed human cases of the virus and 13 human deaths.
Woman charged with giving THC to children
A Robbins woman is facing charges after allegedly giving children THC-infused chocolates at a park in Wheeling.
Dagmara Rouse is charged with 12 misdemeanor counts in connection with the incident. Four minors – two nine-year-olds, a six-year-old and a two-year-old – were transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Drug-resistant fungus detected
Cases of a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus have been confirmed in at least 17 states so far this year, including Illinois.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,000 cases of Candida auris have been confirmed across the country. Of those, 469 cases were in Midwestern states with Illinois seeing 25 cases.
The fungus is a form of yeast that is usually not harmful to healthy people but can be a deadly risk to fragile hospital and nursing home patients.