Polk County Confirms Positive West Nile Virus Test in Bird

POLK COUNTY, Wis. (WLAK / WSCM) – The Polk County Health Department has confirmed a positive West Nile virus test result for a bird that was found in July.

According to a press release this month, the positive test was confirmed on July 18. The confirmation comes just weeks after the Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year in Barron County.

Wisconsin typically sees around 20 human cases of the virus each year, most of which are reported in August and September. The virus can only be spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which are more active during the warmer summer months. It does not spread from human to human or from animal to human.

Roughly 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Mild symptoms include things like fevers, head and muscle aches, and fatigue. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems can show more severe and possibly fatal symptoms like mental confusion, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

Polk County Health Department officials are reminding residents to take precautions against mosquitoes during this time of year. Residents should wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors to keep the insects away from their skin and use effective insect repellents. They can also take proactive steps to keep mosquitoes away from their homes, like making sure their doors and windows are fully secure and removing any stagnant water on their properties which could become breeding grounds for the insects.

Health officials say the threat of mosquitoes will linger until there is a hard frost – temperatures that remain below 28 degrees for at least four consecutive hours.