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Five hospitalized with West Nile virus in Milwaukee, Waukesha counties
Three people in Milwaukee County and two in Waukesha County have been hospitalized with probable West Nile virus, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, according to state public health officials.
No information was available Wednesday on whether the individuals remained hospitalized, said Beth Kaplan, communications officer for the state Department of Health Services' division of public health. A fourth person in Milwaukee County is listed as a probable West Nile virus case, but it's unclear whether this person was hospitalized.
A seventh person in Dane County also likely has the virus, but no further information was available Wednesday, though surveillance continues. Positive test results must be confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One case was confirmed in Dodge County last month; that person was recovering after being hospitalized.
The state Division of Health confirmed Tuesday that three dead crows found last month in the City of New Berlin, the City of Pewaukee and the Town of Brookfield tested positive for the virus -- the first confirmation that the virus is present in Waukesha County this season. Surveillance for the virus began May 1.
Positive test results in dead birds also have been reported in Milwaukee, Washington, Sheboygan, Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Dane, Brown and Winnebago counties, in addition to eight other counties across the state.
West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.
The majority of people (80%) who are infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, or rash. Less than 1% of people infected with the virus get seriously ill.
The best way to avoid the West Nile virus disease is to reduce exposure to and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The Waukesha County Health and Human Services Department recommends the following:
• Maintain window screens in good repair to decrease indoor contact with mosquitoes
• Avoid being outside during times of high mosquito activity, specifically around dawn and dusk
• Wear light-colored protective clothing such as long pants and loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and tuck pants into your socks when outdoors
• When outdoors, consider using an effective mosquito repellant containing an active ingredient registered by the EPA, such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Do not provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes—remove containers, old tires and any objects where water can collect and mosquitoes can lay eggs.
Waukesha County, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, will continue surveillance for the virus until the end of the mosquito season. But testing will be discontinued, now that infected birds have been identified in the county. Sick or dead crows, blue jays, or ravens should still be reported to the Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at (800) 433-1610.
For more information, visit the United States Geological Survey website.
More information about West Nile virus is available on the Internet at: