Wisconsin Begins Testing Mosquitoes for Zika Virus, Milwaukee Area Included

MILWAUKEE -- Health officials are in search of the Zika virus in Wisconsin and are beginning to collect mosquitoes for testing.

According to a report by WISN, the program, which is run through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the University of Wisconsin-Madison entomology department, is being administered in several counties, including Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Waukesha.

Samples are collected in the field and then sent to the lab in Madison for analysis.

WISN is reporting that program directors believe it is unlikely that the Zika virus will be discovered in mosquitoes in Wisconsin.

According to Wisconsin Health Officials, there have only been travel-related cases in Wisconsin.

Travel-associated Zika virus cases
Wisconsin Annual Summary Data - 2016

Updated August 3, 2016
Confirmed Zika virus cases 18
Probable* Zika virus cases 0
Completed testing - Total 573

Wisconsin Gets Zika Grant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded more than $16 million to 40 states and territories to establish, enhance, and maintain information-gathering systems to rapidly detect microcephaly–a serious birth defect of the brain–and other adverse outcomes caused by Zika virus infection.

Wisconsin is scheduled to receive between $200,000 to $700,000 from the CDC.

These awards are a stopgap diverted from other public health resources until Zika funds are provided by Congress.

According to the CDC, The funds will allow states and territories to:

• Enhance information-gathering to carry out strategies for real-time, population-based monitoring for microcephaly and other birth defects caused by Zika virus;
• Enhance capacity development through partner collaboration and infrastructure improvements;
• Provide referral of infants and families to health and social resources;
• Participate in CDC data reporting; and
• Expand access to examination of health and monitoring of developmental outcomes of children born to women with positive or inconclusive Zika virus test results.