West Nile Virus Precautions Urged After 4th Death Confirmed
LANSING (WWJ) - State health officials have confirmed a fourth death related to the West Nile virus, with 80 confirmed cases of the virus in Michigan this year.
With more Michiganders spending time outside for the extended Labor Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Community Health is reminding residents of the simple precautions that can be taken to avoid mosquito bites during the holiday.
WNV cases have been on the rise both nationally and in Michigan. As of Wednesday, Aug. 29, there are 80 confirmed WNV cases and four deaths. In addition to the human cases, WNV has also been found in livestock and wildlife across the state.
No information has been released yet about the fourth victim except the death was reported in Wayne County. Last week the third death was reported, an 84-year-old Texas man who was visiting family in Wayne County. Two other deaths were reporter earlier this month, an elderly woman from Washtenaw County and a 69-year-old man from Detroit.
Most people bitten by a WNV-infected mosquito show no symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. People 50 and older are more susceptible to severe WNV disease symptoms.
Michigan residents are encouraged to take the following steps to avoid WNV:
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or other EPA approved repellent to exposed skin or clothing.
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
The mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans lay eggs in small pools of standing water. Adult mosquitoes can hatch in 10 days in warm weather. Mosquitoes become infected and transmit WNV after feeding on birds carrying the virus. Within 10 to 14 days, the mosquito can transmit the virus to humans and horses.
Many of the same precautions people take can also be used to protect livestock:
• Since West Nile Virus is spread to horses through the bite of an infected mosquito, protection measures that reduce the exposure to mosquito bites should be adopted.
• It is not too late to vaccinate horses this season. Talk to your veterinarian for details.
• Use approved insect repellants to protect horses. If possible, put horses in stables, stalls, or barns, preferably under fans, during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.
• Eliminate standing water, and drain troughs and buckets at least once a week.
More information on West Nile including the latest from state health officials can be found at this link. Go under the 'testing tables and maps' link on the left to find an updated map and table of human cases.
