A UW-Madison alumnus and principal of Wauwatosa West High died last week of West Nile virus.
The death of Tom Steiner, 55, marks the first fatality from West Nile since it was discovered in the state in 1991. Steiner started suffering from flu-like symptoms about a month ago and checked himself into the hospital.
West Nile spreads when infected mosquitoes, which contract the disease from birds, bite humans. Since 1999, the Center for Disease Control has recorded 91 deaths from the disease. The CDC noted 2,470 cases of West Nile last year.
Experts say the spread of the virus has been aided by this year's dry spring. Sixteen mosquito traps in the city of Milwaukee tested positive for West Nile, compared to only two last year.
Steiner is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
