Two people from Wisconsin have now died from West Nile Virus.
An announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says three human cases in the state were reported in Outagamie, Fond du Lac, and Brown Counties.
Another person was hospitalized with the disease.
It’s not known where the people who died were from.
The DHS says West Nile Virus has also been detected this year in mosquitos, animals, and health blood donors.
DHS Communications Director Traci DeSalvo says the department is saddened to hear about the deaths of Wisconsin residents from West Nile Virus.
She continued saying, “Although people with weakened immune systems tend to be at greatest risk, severe West Nile virus can occur in people of all ages. It is important for all Wisconsinites to take steps to prevent mosquito bites when outdoors.”
The disease usually spreads from the bite of an infected mosquito to a human.
The mosquitos get the disease from feeding on birds.
An average of 18 cases of WNV illness are reported among Wisconsin residents every year.
