West Nile virus in Brown County: First human case of 2018 confirmed by health officials
Doug Schneider
GREEN BAY - Brown County's first human case of the West Nile virus was confirmed Thursday, prompting health officials to again urge residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
The infected person lives in Lawrence and had made a full recovery, Health Officer Anna Destree said.
Officials announced the presence of West Nile in the county in early August, after two dead birds tested positive for the disease. Birds and humans typically contract the virus via bites from infected mosquitoes.
"Once a bird tests positive, we make the assumption the West Nile virus is circulating in the entire county," she said in an email. The county encourages "everyone to take preventative measures. We would not isolate that recommendation to targeted areas, because birds travel."
People in at least four other Wisconsin counties are dealing with West Nile: Dane, Iowa, Milwaukee and Waukesha.
RELATED: West Nile case in Brown County; Dead bird tests positive for virus
Roughly half of Wisconsin counties have had birds test positive for West Nile this year. These include Calumet, Door, Manitowoc, Marinette, Outagamie and Winnebago counties.
Brown County also had a human contract West Nile in 2017.
From 2002 through 2017, 305 people in Wisconsin contracted the virus. Fifty-one of those cases were diagnosed in 2017, the third busiest year for human West Nile cases in the state.
Here's the news release issued Thursday:
State and local health officials advise residents to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites as they announce this year’s first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in a resident of Brown County.
The majority of WNV human cases in the state occur during August and September. However, the risk of contracting WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses is present anytime mosquitoes are active, so it is important to be vigilant about preventing mosquito bites throughout the summer and early fall.
The chances of a person contracting WNV are low; most people infected with West Nile virus will not have symptoms. Those who do become ill may develop a fever, headache, and rash that lasts a few days. Symptoms may begin between three to 15 days after the person is bitten.
In rare cases, WNV can cause such as muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of severe disease from the virus.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus other than to treat symptoms. If you think you have West Nile virus infection, contact your health-care provider.
WNV is not transmitted person to person.
Ways to minimize your exposure and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes include:
» Limit time outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
»Apply an insect repellent with DEET, IR3535, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing.
»Make sure window and door screens are in good repair.
»Prevent mosquitoes from breeding by removing stagnant water from items around your property, such as cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, gutters and downspouts.
»Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats, and canoes.
»Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
»Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
»Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas, and trim tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.
The state's Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of West Nile since 2001 among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes, and people. During 2002, the state documented its first human infections; 52 cases were reported that year. West Nile virus infections in humans have been reported from June through October.
Surveillance for West Nile virus will continue until the end of the mosquito season.