Whenever state health officials issue a warning to an entire state, it should be taken seriously, and that's what happened recently with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

However, once you realize that a rare disease has been found in the state that will kill about 30% of people who get severe cases, while those who survive often live with long-term neurologic problems, you understand the importance of spreading the word.

While adults over 50 years old and children under 15 are at the greatest risk for developing the most severe cases, everyone should be aware and continue to take preventative steps as suggested by Wisconsin health officials.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Urges Residents To Take Action

Even though it's fall, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued a warning for people to continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites after two horses in the state tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE).

This came after the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection announced a case in Marathon County, and then confirmed another case in Clark County. This is evidence mosquitoes are present in Wisconsin that can spread EEE to animals and people.

EEE is a rare but serious disease that can spread to humans, horses, and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire EEE by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not spread person to person, directly between animals, or between animals and humans.

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If you think it's now too cold for mosquitoes to spread disease, think again. Health officials say mosquito activity will continue until an area experiences a hard frost, which occurs when temperatures fall below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for at least four straight hours.

Symptoms Of The Disease

Health officials say some people with EEE may develop a fever, headache, chills, and vomiting. The illness may become severe resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), disorientation, seizures, coma, or death.

As mentioned above, about 30% of people who develop severe EEE disease will die, and those who do survive often have long-term neurologic problems. Adults over 50 years old and children under 15 years old are at the greatest risk for developing severe EEE. Also, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for EEE available for people.

Therefore, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services encourages everyone to continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

How To Avoid Mosquito Bites

The following precautionary measures are encouraged:

  • Apply an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
  • Treat clothing with permethrin before heading outdoors. Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin.
  • Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning hours, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from skin.

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You Should Also Mosquito-Proof Your Home

You can also take the following steps to keep mosquitoes out of your home altogether:

  • Make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly fitted to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your home.
  • Prevent mosquitoes from breeding around homes by removing stagnant water from items around the property, such as tin cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, roof gutters, and downspouts.
  • Turn over wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, buckets, and small boats such as canoes and kayaks when not in use.
  • Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Drain water from pool covers.
  • Trim or mow tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

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