The North Shore Health Department has reported the first human case of West Nile virus in Milwaukee County for the year 2025. The infected individual resides in Bayside, with the case confirmation announced this Tuesday. Despite the worrying news of a human infection, officials remind the public that most people infected by the virus do not show symptoms of illness. The department emphasizes the importance of personal vigilance in preventing mosquito bites and reducing exposure, as per a report by WISN.
As mosquitoes continue to be active through the fall until experiencing a hard frost, the North Shore Health Department stresses the need for the community to maintain prevention efforts. Measures include using insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, as well as treating clothes with permethrin. Officials have suggested altering outdoor plans to avoid peak mosquito activity hours, mainly in the evenings and early mornings, according to CBS 58 News.
In an effort to mosquito-proof homes in the area, recommendations have been made to eliminate stagnant water sources that act as mosquito breeding grounds. These include the emptying of containers that could collect rainwater and ensuring proper maintenance of pool covers, as well as home fixtures like window and door screens. Trimming tall grass and other vegetation where mosquitoes may rest is also advised to minimize contact with these disease-carrying insects. The same source suggests making sure any standing water around one's home, including that in bird baths, pet dishes, and plant pots, be regularly refreshed or removed.
At a local level, surveillance for the West Nile virus is ongoing. Testing pools of mosquitoes in the greater Milwaukee area have already shown positive results for the virus, indicating its presence in the insect population. The North Shore Health Department noted that a mosquito sample from Bender Road's testing site in Kletzsch Park, Glendale, had tested positive this past week, as reported by WTMJ News.
