Chicago's First Three Cases of West Nile in 2025

This week, CDPH confirmed Chicago's first three human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2025. The patients, whose symptoms began in late July or early August, range in age from 40 to 80 years old and reside on the Northwest and South sides. The Illinois Department of Public Health previously confirmed the first human case of WNV in the state on June 24.

CDPH has sprayed insecticide in nine different community areas over the last several weeks and will be spraying to kill adult mosquitoes in seven communities this Wednesday, August 13, 2025 (Forest Glen, Norwood Park, Mount Greenwood, and Beverly) and Thursday, August 14, 2025 (East Garfield Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale). This is the third week of spraying events to occur in the city this season.

Weather permitting, the spraying will begin at dusk on August 13 and August 14 and continue through the night until approximately 1 a.m., with licensed mosquito abatement technicians dispensing an ultra-low-volume spray from trucks. Maps of the planned spray zones can be reviewed and downloaded online:

• Wednesday, August 13: Forest Glen, Norwood Park
• Wednesday, August 13: Mount Greenwood, Beverly
• Thursday, August 14: East Garfield Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale

For more information on West Nile virus and how Chicagoans can protect themselves, see the full CDPH press release on our website.

Back to School Vision and Dental

Back to School season is just around the corner, and with August being National Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, it's the perfect time to prioritize kids' eye health!

Vision plays a key role in a child's ability to learn, play, and grow, but many vision problems go undetected. Did you know that 1 in 20 children between the ages of 3 and 5 have a serious eye condition that could lead to permanent vision loss if not caught early? Routine eye exams are essential for detecting issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism while children's eyes are still developing.

CDPH is here to help, through our School-Based Vision Health Program. We provide free vision exams and prescription eyeglasses to students in kindergarten through 12th grade enrolled in Chicago Public Schools. Last school year alone, over 21,000 students received comprehensive eye exams, and more than half of them received glasses at no cost to their families. CDPH also works closely with schools to educate communities, refer students to follow-up care, and improve overall vision health outcomes.

Parents and caregivers can take simple but powerful steps: schedule a back-to-school eye screening, encourage children to wear protective eyewear during sports, and promote healthy screen time habits like the 20-20-20 rule. Early detection can prevent long-term vision problems and help kids thrive in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.

Learn more about free school-based vision services at CPS Vision Services.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference

CDPH will host its annual Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Malcolm X College. This year's theme, Healthy Homes, Lead Free Lives, reflects CDPH's continued commitment to ensuring safe, healthy living environments for all families, especially young children most at risk.

The one-day event will feature expert-led sessions, community resources, and an inspiring kickoff panel titled “A Family's Journey,” which shares the real-life perspectives of a parent, nurse, doctor, inspector, and case manager navigating the path to a lead-safe home.

Topics include updated blood lead thresholds (now 3.5 micrograms per deciliter), innovations in lead abatement, new grant resources, and the importance of early detection and intervention. The event aims to strengthen collaboration among public health agencies, healthcare providers, housing experts, and community organizations. Registration is now open.

Even if you can't attend, it's a great reminder to check your home for lead hazards and have your child tested for lead at 12, 24, and 36 months. Early detection can prevent long-term health problems and ensure every child grows up in a safe, lead-free environment. Find more information on lead poisoning prevention at chicago.gov/lead.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

On a new episode of Healthy Chicago Podcast, learn about Peace Runners, a health and wellness nonprofit organization founded by runner Jackie Hoffman and other Garfield Park community members.

Listen or watch the newest episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and the CDPH website.

In 2024, the program saw over 1,100 runners participate in 5K runs or walks, 187 people ran half marathons, and 43 participated in the Chicago Marathon. Peace Runners offer a broad range of exercise programs from yoga and strength sessions to in-person walks and runs for age groups ranging from youth to those 60+ years old. The organization can be found every Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. at the Gold Dome in Garfield Park for a 1-mile walk and 2-mile fun run.

Learn more at https://peacerunners773.com

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