2 men from Brown, Fond du Lac counties die from West Nile virus, state says; Outagamie County woman hospitalized

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information about the victims.

Two men from Brown and Fond du Lac counties have died because of the West Nile virus and an Outagamie County woman was hospitalized, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Thursday.

Those were the first three human cases of West Nile virus this year in Wisconsin.

The department said the two people who died were a Brown County man in his 50s and a Fond du Lac man in his 70s. The hospitalized person is a Outagamie County woman in her 80s.

DHS also said the victims contracted the virus sometime in July.

West Nile virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes, animals and blood donors who screened positive for the virus, the DHS said.

Last week, health departments in Milwaukee, North Shore and Wauwatosa warned residents to take precautions after mosquitoes in those areas tested positive.

In 2023, 25 confirmed and probable West Nile virus cases were reported in the state, and in 2022, only six. Two people in Wisconsin died from the virus in 2023, while one person died in 2019, according to data provided by Outagamie County Public Health.

The virus is considered endemic in Wisconsin, which means cases generally happen regularly in a specific location, according to Lilly Wegner, public health nursing supervisor at Outagamie County Public Health.

"It's always going to be in Wisconsin. We unfortunately have the type of mosquitoes that are able to carry West Nile virus," Wegner told the Press-Gazette. "There are other states that have it just as much more or less than us."

The virus is spread to humans, birds and other animals through the bite from an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not spread human to human, animal to animal, or animal to person, the DHS said.

Mosquitoes tend to come out in areas that have had rain come down in it. Northeast Wisconsin has dealt with numerous storms and rain throughout the summer, which can attract mosquitoes who carry the virus, according to Julie Schoenrock, a public health nurse at Brown County Public Health.

""Mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus do like stagnant water. Those little puddles and ponds that have been popping up around northeast Wisconsin due to the rainy season, or you also see it in wheelbarrows, downspouts, kiddie pools, bird baths; anywhere there's stagnant water, that's where those mosquitoes can breathe," Schoenrock told the Press-Gazette.

According to the DHS: An average of 18 Wisconsin residents catch the virus each year, with most people reporting illnesses from the virus during August and September. Most who have had the virus do not show symptoms, but some symptoms can include headaches, high fevers, muscle weaknesses, chills, fatigue, among other symptoms. Those who are older or have compromised immune systems are at risk of developing serious illnesses that could be fatal.

West Nile virus does not have a significant symptom that makes the virus easily distinguishable, according to Wegner. However, she told the Press-Gazette that 80% of those infected won't show any symptoms. On top of that, once someone contracts the virus, they likely won't ever contract it again.

"Once someone is infected with West Nile virus, that they are immune for life," Wegner said. "It is rare that we do have deaths, and that we rarely have severe cases. So the best thing is to make sure that you are preventing being bitten."

For Fond du Lac residents, there should be no worry regarding this year's cases with the virus, according to Raine Bleecker, Fond du Lac County Health Department health educator communications specialist .

"Fond du Lac County residents should not be more worried this year compared to previous years. We would recommend to continue using best practices on mosquito bite prevention and follow DHS guidance," she said in a statement to the Fond du Lac Reporter. There have been no other reported cases in the county, Bleecker said, but "it would not be uncommon for us to see additional cases over the next month or two."

DHS recommendations to protect yourself, home

According to DHS, to avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
• Treat clothing with permethrin prior to heading outdoors; do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning hours, when mosquitoes that spread WNV are most active.
• Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

DHS says that to mosquito-proof your home:

• Prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home by removing stagnant water from items around your property.
• Empty standing water that has collected in tin cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, roof gutters, and downspouts.
• Turn over wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, buckets, and small boats such as canoes and kayaks when not in use.
• Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
• Make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly fitted to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your home.
• Trim or mow tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

Daphne Lemke of the Fond du Lac Reporter contributed to this story.

Rashad Alexander can be reached at ralexander@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: 2 men from Brown, Fond du Lac counties die from West Nile virus, state says; Outagamie County woman hospitalized