The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) warns that mosquitoes remain a risk as fall progresses. A horse in Marathon County recently tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), indicating that mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus are still active.
As per the Wisconsin Department of Health Services release, mosquitoes in Wisconsin can transmit EEE and West Nile virus until the first hard frost, defined as temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for at least four hours. While no human EEE cases have been reported this year, severe cases can be fatal or cause long-term neurological issues, and there is no vaccine or treatment for humans.
Residents are advised to use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, treat clothing with permethrin, wear long sleeves, pants, and socks, and limit outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk. Children under 15 and adults over 50 are at higher risk for severe illness from EEE.
