West Nile Virus Confirmed in the North Shore

Seven people have contracted the West Nile Virus in Milwaukee County, and North Shore health officials are urging area residents to take extra precautions and protect themselves.

"The  has found West Nile Virus in our communities, as we sent in one dead crow for West Nile Virus testing, which came back positive," Jamie Berg, health officer for the North Shore Health Department said Wednesday.

West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.

Three people in Waukesha County have also contracted the disease.

The update from the state health department comes a day after county officials warned the community that to have the virus.

The North Shore Health Department recommends the following:

• Use effective mosquito repellant and apply according to the label instructions.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
• Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with a repellent containing permethrin or DEET will give extra protection. These repellants are the most effective and most studied.
• Avoid being outside during times of high mosquito activity, specifically around dawn and dusk.
• Keep window screens repaired so that mosquitoes cannot enter your home.
• Dispose of discarded tires, cans, or plastic containers left outside that may contain standing water.
• Drain standing water from pool or hot tub covers.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheel barrows when not in use.
• Change the water in bird baths, pet dishes and wading pools every 3-4 days.
• Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of trash and weeds so water will drain properly.
• Clean gutters to ensure they drain properly.

"About 20 percent of infected people have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, rash and swollen glands," Berg said. "Less than 1 percent become severely ill with the same symptoms and additionally neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, or paralysis."

It can take between five to 15 days for symptoms to begin after being bitten, and most people do not become seriously ill she said. 

Kane County, IL recently experienced A 16-year-old girl has recovered, but a 64-year-old Illinois man died from the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in August reported cases of West Nile Virus are at an all-time high.

“The 2,118 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999,” the CDC reported.