Wisconsin reports its first human case of West Nile virus this year, with infected mosquitoes also found in Milwaukee and Lafayette counties.
United States: Wisconsin Department of Health Services has affirmed that a resident of Wisconsin has been diagnosed with West Nile virus this year, as the first human case in the area.
They reported a human case of West Nile virus in a Barron County resident. Moreover, in Milwaukee and Lafayette counties, the mosquitoes have been found positive for West Nile Virus.
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According to Paula Tran, State Health Officer and Administrator of the Division of Public Health, “The first detections of West Nile virus this year are a reminder to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and possible disease. West Nile virus poses a risk to all Wisconsinites, but people who have weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness,” fox6now.com reported.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services argues that the West Nile virus is distributed to human beings, avian, and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.
#DHSWI is confirming Wisconsin's first human case of #WestNile virus this year. WNV is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. We urge you to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and possible disease: https://t.co/arARl0wR3d #FightTheBite pic.twitter.com/bmeR6aNMjL
— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) July 28, 2025
West Nile virus is an infection that is acquired by mosquitoes that feed on sick birds. There is no direct person-to-person, animal-to-animal, or animal-to-person spread of the virus.
According to a news release, most of the infected individuals experience no symptoms.
The individuals who will develop illness have a chance of developing fever, chill, headache, aches in muscles, rash, and feelings of fatigue.
Others will become seriously sick and the symptoms will be high fever, their muscles may feel weak, their neck may feel stiff, and they may feel disoriented, mentally confused, tremor, paralysis, seizure, and coma.
Older people and those with weak immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness, which can be life-threatening, as fox6now.com reported.
The Department of Health Services provides these precautions to prevent the bites of mosquitoes:
- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 on bare skin and clothing.
- Permethrin should be applied to clothing before going outdoors; skin is not to be sprayed with permethrin.
- Take into consideration whether to reschedule or reschedule outdoor activities that are during the evening or mornings when mosquitoes that cause WNV are in full swing.
- It is advisable to use long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, and socks to cover up the body outdoors and to help keep off the mosquitoes.
