Madison (WQOW)-A pair of deaths, one in Milwaukee County and a second in Waukesha County are being linked to West Nile. A spokesperson from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says it's probable both people were infected with the virus.
The deaths were recently reported to the DHS and are the first in the state to be connected to the disease. Both people were in their 70's. Blood samples will be tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before a link to the West Nile Virus can be confirmed. That could take several weeks.
Statewide, health officials are currently investigating 12 probable human cases and five people have been hospitalized in southeastern Wisconsin. One case has been confirmed. That case was in Dodge County.
26 birds have tested positive for the virus in Wisconsin, one each in Barron, Eau Claire and Pierce County.
The disease is spread by mosquitos. According to the DHS an estimated 80% of people infected by the West Nile Virus never experience symptoms. Most of the remaining 20% will experience relatively mild illness, including symptoms such as fever, headache, a skin rash or sore muscles. Less than one percent (approximately one of every 150 people) infected become seriously ill. Severe symptoms include a sudden onset of a high fever, neck stiffness, extreme muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions, or disorientation.
