Evergreen Park mayor fighting West Nile virus
BY BOB RAKOW Correspondent August 20, 2012 7:44PM
Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton | File photo
Updated: September 22, 2012 6:38AM
Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton has tested positive for the West Nile virus, but anticipates making a full recovery, Village Clerk Cathy Aparo said Monday.
Sexton was hospitalized more than two weeks ago but Trustee Jerry Bosch at that time denied that Sexton had the virus. Aparo said before Monday night’s village board meeting that the diagnosis was confirmed via tests earlier in the day.
She said he was recovering and thanked residents for expressing their concerns.
“Each day, he feels stronger, and he anticipates a full recovery,” Aparo said. “He’s been in constant contact with us daily.”
Sexton, 60, who was elected mayor in 2001, had not missed a village board meeting in 11 years until this month.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. According to mayoclinic.com, an infected person may experience no symptoms, or minor ones such as fever and mild headache, or may develop a life-threatening illness that includes inflammation of the brain.
“I would like to remind everyone to be vigilant of this disesase,” Sexton said in a prepared statement, adding that he would return to office “at the earliest possible time.”
West Nile virus was blamed for the Saturday death of Lombard Mayor Bill Mueller, who also was fighting bone-marrow cancer.
