EAU Claire (WKOW) – Laboratory tests confirmed the first human death from Wisconsin’s Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in 2020, state health officials announced Friday.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Chippewa County Health Department have sent out a news release with this information.
A 60-year-old woman from Chippewa County became infected, the second case in the state and died after the first confirmed case on Wednesday.
Last week, the DHSA announced that horses in three counties in the Northwest had been confirmed to be infected with the virus.
The disease can be spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
EEE is rare but potentially fatal. It can affect people regardless of their age, health officials said.
D.H.S. Published the following prevention measures:
Avoid mosquito bites:
- For exposed skin and wear apply an insect repellent with DET, picridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535.
- Before going out of town, treat clothes with permethrin; Do not apply permethrin directly to the skin.
- Consider reconstructing outdoor activities that take place in the evening or early morning when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants and gloves when out to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-proof your home:
- Make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly fitted to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Prevent mosquito breeding around your home by removing stagnant water from items around your property, such as tin cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, roof gutters, and downscouts.
- Rotate on wheelboards, ant bridges, 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 chlorinated swimming pool, outdoor sauna and hot tubs; Water from the pool cover.
- Cut or mow tall grasses, weeds and vines, as mosquitoes use these areas during hot day breaks.
