WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Health officials in Wood County say a dead bird has tested positive for the West Nile virus.
Health Department director Sue Kunferman says the bird is the first that tested positive for West Nile in Wood County since surveillance of the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1.
Health officials say the majority of people who are infected with West Nile don't get sick. Those who do become ill experience symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache, rash and fatigue.
Marshfield Clinic infectious disease specialist Dr. Matthew Hall says a small number of people infected with West Nile develop meningitis or encephalitis.
Daily Tribune Media (http://wrtnews.co/18lnRRQ ) says Wood County is the fifth county to have a positive test for the virus this year. The other four counties are Chippewa, Washington, Jefferson and Rock.
