Wisconsin health officials want you to take proper precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes after two Wisconsinites died and another was hospitalized last week because of West Nile virus (WNV) illness.

The cases of West Nile Virus occurred in Outagamie, Fond du Lac, and Brown counties. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the virus has also been detected this year in mosquitoes, animals, and healthy blood donors whose blood screened positive for WNV. Earlier this summer, Kewaunee County Public Health Director Cindy Kinnard advised those venturing outside where mosquitos are in the mood to bite to wear the proper clothing and spray themselves.

DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases Director Traci DeSalvo says that although people with weakened immune systems tend to be at most significant risk, severe West Nile virus can occur in people of all ages.