Wisconsin Ag Connection - First Human Case of WNV Confirmed in Wisconsin

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First Human Case of WNV Confirmed in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/20/2018

A Dane County resident has become Wisconsin's first person to have contracted West Nile Virus this year. As a result, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is advising people to protect themselves against mosquito bites when going outdoors.

The majority of WNV human cases in the state occur during the months of August and September, according to a press release issued by the agency. However, the risk of contracting WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses is present anytime mosquitoes are active.

State records show that 51 humans were reported in Wisconsin last year, which is the highest number of cases since 2012. Eight of these cases occurred in Dane County, which was the highest number ever reported in the county.

The agency says that the chances of a person contracting WNV are very low and most people infected with WNV will not have any symptoms. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe disease with symptoms such as disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, inflammation of the brain, and coma. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of severe disease from the virus.

DHS has monitored the spread of West Nile virus since 2001 among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes and people.

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