| By Big Radio News Staff |
Rock County’s West Nile virus surveillance it began last month turned up positive tests for the virus in mosquitoes collected in the county, the health department said Friday.
No human cases have been reported in the county this year, though there have been cases of people and pets infected elsewhere in the state. The virus spreads from birds to mosquitoes to mammals; it does not spread from person to person.
The health department says about 80% of people who contract the virus do not get sick. Those who do can show mild symptoms such as fever, headache, rash and fatigue.
A small fraction of cases — less than 1% — result in serious illness with high fever, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors or paralysis. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.
The health department says the best ways to avoid mosquito-borne illness are to reduce exposure to the bugs and eliminate their breeding sites.
The state and county health departments have more information on preventive measures on their websites.
