Community Corner
How to Prepare for West Nile Season in Waukesha County
As 2012 saw a small spike in human West Nile cases reported in Waukesha County, here are some tips for protecting yourself against the virus.
Waukesha County saw a small spike in human West Nile virus cases reported in 2012, and Patch has some helpful tips from state experts for protecting yourself against the virus this season.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Thursday that a dead bird in Washington County tested positive for the virus, marking the beginning of West Nile season in Wisconsin.
Waukesha County has seen 14 human cases reported since 2002 — with six in 2002, one in 2007 and seven in 2012 — according to U.S. Geological Survey data.
Rosie Kapp, Public Health Supervisor for the Waukesha County Health Department, told Patch that it's difficult to know what causes changes from year to year. She stressed that only about 20 percent of those infected with the virus show even mild symptoms.
"The cases that come to our attention are the one percent who become severely ill," showing symptoms like altered mental state and severe headaches, she said. "Generally, these people are hospitalized."
Kapp offered the most common advice for avoiding the virus: using mosquito repellent and clearing any pools of standing water.
Here are some helpful tips from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on avoiding the virus:
- Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
- Apply insect repellant to clothing as well as exposed skin
- Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquito entry
- Reduce mosquito breeding sites by properly disposing of items that hold water such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or discarded tires
- Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage
- Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats, and canoes when not in use so they will not collect water
- Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Drain water from pool covers. Trim tall grass, weeds and vines, since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours
- Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas
- Seek treatment for children or older adults — or anyone with a compromised immune system — even when experiencing only mild flu symptoms
The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans. That's why Diep Johnson, epidemiologist with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, says preventing human infection takes a conscious effort — and not just from individuals.
"It takes the whole neighborhood to work together to do this," Johnson said. In other words, you can take the necessary preventative steps, but if your neighbor does not do so, you may be just as vulnerable.
About West Nile
About 80 percent of those infected by the virus do not experience symptoms, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. About 20 percent will experience mild symptoms such as "fever, headache, muscle pains, a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and photophobia."Less than one percent will experience severe symptoms such as "high fever, neck stiffness, extreme muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions or disorientation."
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