The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Wednesday that it has confirmed this year’s first human case of West Nile virus in a person from northeastern Wisconsin. DHS did not release any other specific details about the case.
DHS said in a news release West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not spread person to person. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.
The chances of a person contracting WNV are very low, and most people infected with WNV will not get sick. Those who do become ill may develop a fever, headache, and rash that lasts a few days. Symptoms typically begin between three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
In rare cases, WNV can cause severe disease with symptoms such as disorientation, tremors, paralysis, inflammation of the brain, and coma.
