Michigan Reports First Human Cases of West Nile Virus

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts.

The first human cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus have been reported in Michigan in several Michigan counties, including Macomb, Monroe and Ottawa, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed.

Oakland County health officials said Friday a blood donor also tested positive for West Nile Virus there. The American Red Cross consistently tests blood donations for a wide variety of infectious diseases. Recently, mosquito pools and a crow have also tested positive for WNV in Oakland County.

“With so many people enjoying the outdoors this coming Labor Day weekend, it is important that everyone protect themselves from mosquito bites - especially those 50 and older who are more susceptible to severe WNV disease symptoms.” said Kathy Forzley, Oakland County Health Division manager/health officer.

Human cases of West Nile have also been confirmed in Macomb, Monroe and Ottawa counties, health officials said.

In a news release, DHHS said that 57 dead birds found in Michigan have tested positive for the disease, including a crow found recently in Oakland County. The virus has also been found in mosquito pools in Oakland, Wayne, Bay, Kent and Saginaw counties.

The CDC and prevention says most people show no symptoms and recover quickly from the virus, but in rare severe cases, neurological problems such as encephalitis and meningitis can result. When symptoms are present, they can include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash.

People over 50 are the most susceptible to severe symptoms, according to health officials.

The best way to prevent infection is to minimize contact with mosquitoes by:

• Spraying clothing and exposed skin with insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of insect repellents containing two active ingredients registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency : DEET and Picaridin. Always follow manufacturer’s directions carefully, especially when using on children.
• Wearing protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants and limiting outdoor activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Avoiding areas where mosquitoes may be present (i.e. shaded and wooded areas).
• Maintaining window and door screening to keep mosquitoes out of buildings and homes.

More information about West Nile Virus in Michigan is available at michigan.gov/westnilevirus.

Here’s a map from the CDC showing the states that have reported human cases of West Nile Virus.

Mosquito photo licensed under Creative Commons