GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Brown County Health & Human Services issued a warning Tuesday after a human and a horse tested positive for West Nile virus.
These are the first West Nile virus cases in both humans and horses in Brown County this year, according to officials. Officials do not believe the two cases are connected, because the virus does not spread between horses and people.
Officials point to mosquitoes
Health officials say mosquitoes are the source of the cases, noting that mosquitoes in other parts of the state have also been found to carry the virus. West Nile virus was confirmed in Wisconsin earlier this year in cases involving birds.
The virus often reaches its peak during late August through mid-September, according to the Brown County Department of Health and Human Services, which is encouraging residents to watch for bites or potential symptoms.
Symptoms and risk
Health officials say West Nile virus can lead to mild, flu-like symptoms within two weeks of an infected mosquito bite. Most people feel no symptoms at all. In fewer than 1 in 100 cases, a person develops severe symptoms that require a trip to the hospital and could affect the central nervous system…