Health Department: Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus in Milwaukee



MILWAUKEE -- West Nile virus has been detected in the city of Milwaukee. While not all mosquitoes carry the virus, the Milwaukee Health Department is issuing a warning.

West Nile virus



Each year, the mosquitoes are collected and tested as part of the health department's seasonal West Nile surveillance and prevention efforts. This year, two of the six traps tested positive for the West Nile virus.

"So that means the probability of an infection has gone up for citizens in the area," said Paul Biedrzycki, Director of Disease Control and Environmental Health.

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent the disease, because of that, the MHD reminds individuals to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, including:


    West Nile virus



    Most West Nile virus infections in Wisconsin typically occur between June and September, and are transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite.

    Only 20% of individuals bitten by an infected mosquito will develop the West Nile fever and 1 in 150 will develop the severe form of the virus which can lead to Encephalitis and Meningitis.

    Those most susceptible to serious illness and hospitalization associated with West Nile virus are individuals over 50 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. If you experience symptoms of West Nile Virus, contact your health care provider.

    "And you can be hospitalized and the case fatality rate that are hospitalized is up to 10%, so that's pretty significant," said Biedrzycki.

    Symptoms include:


      "The last couple of years, very few cases of human infections. Our last outbreak or cluster of disease we saw in 2012," said Biedrzycki.

      Most West Nile virus infections in Wisconsin typically occur between June and September, and are transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite. Not all mosquitoes carry the virus, and only 20 percent of individuals bitten by an infected mosquito will develop symptoms such as fever, rash, headache, and joint pain.

      Those most susceptible to serious illness and hospitalization associated with West Nile virus are individuals over 50 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. If you experience symptoms of West Nile Virus, contact your health care provider.

      The Milwaukee Health Department doesn't anticipate an outbreak of disease -- however, they are enhancing surveillance. They have also put out environmentally safe larvicide treatment to help control the mosquito population.

      For more information on West Nile virus, visit www.milwaukee.gov/health.