Mosquito in De Pere, August 30, 2021. PC: Fox 11 Online
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) — After a Brown County man died of West Nile virus last summer, and the state of Wisconsin confirmed its first case of the season last month in Barron County, Brown County officials are urging the public to stay vigilant.
Mosquitoes are usually most active in Wisconsin from May to September; when most West Nile virus cases are reported. On average, 18 cases of West Nile virus are reported each year in the state.
West Nile virus is spread to humans and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get West Nile virus by feeding on infected birds.
The virus is not spread directly from person to person, animal to animal, or animal to person.
Most people who become infected with West Nile virus may not even know it. Few people may experience symptoms like a fever, headache, muscle aches/joint pain, rash, swollen lymph nodes, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and nausea/ vomiting. Only rarely does West Nile virus result in death. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, but over-the-counter pain relievers may be given.
Brown County has not seen any confirmed West Nile virus cases so far this season.
Emma Panure, Communicable Disease Strategist with Brown County Public Health says if you think you have West Nile virus, go to the emergency room or urgent care; or your primary care doctor if they’re able to see you right away.
Once an individual tests positive for West Nile virus, the public health department will contact the person to receive information.
“We want to know thing like, ‘did you travel recently?’ or ‘do you work outside, do you do a lot of outdoor activities or camping?’ it’s things like that,” said Panure. “So we will follow up with you and ask some questions to determine where you may have possibly gotten that mosquito bite.”
Brown County Public Health has maintained contact with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to monitor the virus.
“A lot of the cases we’ve heard of are individuals traveling who do not live in the area,” said Panure. “So we have to keep it on our radar for sure, but it’s nothing that should be too alarming to individuals.”
The best ways to protect against West Nile virus include wearing bug spray, and even spraying it on your clothes. You can prevent mosquitoes from breeding around homes by removing stagnant water from items around the property, like birdbaths.
To learn more about West Nile virus, click here.
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