DuPage County reports 2 deaths from West Nile Virus; Exchange Club holding a life skills fair for teens; Growlers for Howlers to benefit A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter

Two DuPage County residents have died from West Nile Virus, according to the county health department.

An Addison resident in their 70s and a West Chicago resident in their 60s both became ill in late August and have died, the department said in a news release. There have been six human cases reported in DuPage County this year.

West Nile Virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. About 20% of people who are infected will have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1% will develop a serious neurologic illness, the release said.

People 60 or older, anyone with certain medical conditions such as cancer or diabetes, or organ transplant recipients are at greater risk for serious illness.

The Exchange Club of Naperville will host a free Life Skills Fair for teens in fifth grade through high school from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Alive Center, 500 W. 5th Ave., Naperville.

Experts will talk to attendees about topics that will include automotive basics, banking, budgeting, cooking, self defense and insurance.

There also will be lessons available on how to sew a button or fix a tear in clothing, a news release said. Teens can learn about important job skills such as how to write a resume and how to interview.

The Naperville fire and police departments will offer CPR and first aid lessons as well as safety tips.

A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter will hold its Growlers for Howlers fundraiser from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Solemn Oath Brewery, 1661 Quincy Ave.

The event includes a DJ, a raffle and food that can be purchased from the Yummy Food Time food truck.

The shelter is currently selling wristbands for drinks and raffle tickets, with all proceeds from the raffle and wristband sales and 10% of the food truck sales benefiting A.D.O.P.T., a no-kill nonprofit animal shelter.

Raffle tickets and wristbands will also be sold at the event.

Shelter officials said the event will be family-friendly, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.

To preorder wristbands and raffle tickets, go to growlersforhowlers.funraise.org.