West Nile Virus May Have Killed Two WI Residents

9/7/12 – Wisconsin may have its first human deaths from the West Nile virus in four years. A Waukesha County health supervisor says a person over the age of 50 died last month after getting bit by a mosquito infected with West Nile. And a state epidemiologist says a 78-year-old Milwaukee County woman who had West Nile died earlier this week. State health officials are still trying to confirm whether the deaths were the direct result of the virus – which had its worst presence in years in the central U-S. Wisconsin has had two confirmed human cases – including one in Dodge County — and 10 possible cases. If they’re confirmed, the Badger State would have its biggest outbreak of West Nile since 2007, when a dozen cases were reported. Wisconsin recorded its first human cases of the West Nile virus a decade ago. Birds and horses have also died from the illness.