Two people in Wisconsin have died and another is in the hospital from West Nile Virus, according to the State Department of Health Services. The cases came out of Outagamie, Fond du Lac and Brown counties. The three cases are the first confirmed human cases this year. Two men around the ages of 50 and 70 died, and an 80-year-old woman is still in the hospital. They were all infected in July. West Nile symptoms typically feel like the flu, but severe cases can have significant neurological effects like confusion, memory loss and tremors. One out of 150 people develop the severe form of the virus, also known as Neuroinvasive disease.
MADISON (WKOW) — Two people in Wisconsin have died and another is in the hospital from West Nile Virus, according to the State Department of Health Services.
The cases came out of Outagamie, Fond du Lac and Brown counties. The three cases are the first confirmed human cases this year. Two men around the ages of 50 and 70 died, and an 80-year-old woman is still in the hospital. They were all infected in July.
West Nile symptoms typically feel like the flu, but severe cases can have significant neurological effects like confusion, memory loss and tremors. One out of 150 people develop the severe form of the virus, also known as Neuroinvasive disease.
“People who are 65 years and older, and anybody who is immunocompromised – this would be due to any particular illness or medications – would be at a higher risk of developing Neuroinvasive disease and perhaps dying from that disease if they were infected,” said Rebecca Osborn, DHS vector borne disease epidemiologist, in a news conference Thursday.
Normal cases of the virus can take days or weeks to recover from. Severe cases can take weeks to months, and leave damaging neurological effects.
The months of July to September are deemed peak mosquito months, which is when DHS reports seeing the most cases of West Nile Virus.
The virus is spread to people and other animals through infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds. Luckily, it cannot be passed from person to person – people can only be infected from a mosquito bite.
Rock County Public Health officials put out a press release on how people can stay safe this mosquito season. The county has had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus, but has not had any confirmed cases in people.
The release gives two main pieces of advice: avoid mosquito bites and mosquito proof the home. People should use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535. It’s also a good idea to avoid outdoor activities in early morning and evening hours, and wear long sleeves, long pants and socks outside.
At home – trim or mow tall grass, weeds and vines. Turn over things like wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, buckets and canoes when they’re not in use. A key point is eliminating any standing water that has collected – a point reinforced by Osborne in the news conference.
“Rain gutters, flower pots that collect water and sit there, stagnant water in particular that’s filled with a lot of organic material that gets real dirty and stinky is the perfect breeding habitat for these mosquitos,” she said.
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