West Nile Virus Hotline Open, State Asks Residents To Report Dead Birds

The potential to be bitten by mosquitoes and contract the West Nile Virus grows as the weather warms up and state officials want Wisconsin residents to report the number dead birds they see.

Infected mosquitoes spread the disease to humans. Mosquitoes get infected with the virus by feeding on infected birds and can then transmit the virus to other animals, birds, and humans, according to state health officials.

The number of dead birds that get reported and investigated serve as an early warning system for monitoring how severe the disease is in the area. For this reason, state health officials have reactivated the statewide, toll-free Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at (800) 433-1610.

Only one in five people infected with West Nile virus will have symptoms, which begin within 3 to 14 days and typically last a few days.

Symptoms include:

• fever, headache
• body aches
• swollen lymph nodes
• skin rash on the chest, stomach and back

In rare cases, West Nile virus can cause severe disease with additional symptoms, including:

• muscle weakness
• stiff neck
• disorientation
• tremors
• convulsions
• paralysis
• coma
• potentially death

The elderly and people who have received a transplant may be at greater risk of developing severe illness. People who become ill and think they have West Nile virus infection should contact their healthcare provider for treatment of symptoms.