Mosquitoes collected in Wauwatosa test positive for West Nile Virus

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wauwatosa health officials are urging community members to protect themselves from mosquito bites after mosquitoes collected in the city tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).

No human cases of the virus have been reported in Wisconsin this year, according to the Wauwatosa Health Department, but infections have been detected in birds and mosquitoes in other parts of the state. 

Officials say these are the first mosquitoes from Wauwatosa to test positive since surveillance began in mid-June. 

The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person, animal to animal, or animal to person. 

The health department says most people with WNV do not have symptoms, but some people may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Those with compromised immune systems and older adults are at greater risk of severe illness. 

"We find positive West Nile Virus mosquitoes in the state almost every year," said Rebecca Osborn, a vectorborne disease epidemiologist for the state's Department of Health Services. "On average, we have about 19 cases in humans reported."

But Osborn noted that the cases reported to the department are those that are severe, and for more mild cases, that number could be much higher.

"These are commonly the ones where people are severely ill, they get what we call a neuroinvasive infection. Unfortunately, most of these people are hospitalized and have very serious illness," Osborn said. "A lot of the more mild West Nile cases are self-resolving, meaning you'll feel better on your own without any medicines or healthcare within a few days."

For protection, officials said you should avoid going outside around dawn and dusk, wear long-sleeved clothing and insect repellent, and get rid of standing water.

"A lot of people look at mosquitoes as a nuisance, and they are," said Jeff DeCoste, the owner of Mosquito Squad of Waukesha County. "Mosquitoes need standing water, organic material and heat, and we had a very wet spring, so the activity popped out real early in the season and it's carried on, they multiply quickly."

DeCoste said treating your property is key for targeting mosquitos before they can even hatch or become adults.

"It's a health concern where we can protect you from contracting those sorts of viruses," DeCoste said. "We'll get the heavy rains and five to seven days later, we'll get the hatching and there'll be huge amounts of mosquitoes, so they'll be coming again."

For more information and tips in preventing mosquito bites, click here.