Wisconsin Ag Connection - Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Dane County

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Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Dane County
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/21/2016

A dead bird found in Dane County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Dane County health officials say this is the first bird to test positive for the virus in Wisconsin since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began on May 1.

"West Nile virus seems to be here to stay, so the best way to avoid the disease is to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes," says Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County.

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

Heinrich says most people who are infected with WNV do not get sick.

For the past 15 years, the Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of WNV among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes and people.

Seven cases of WNV infection were reported among Wisconsin residents in 2015.

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