LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A rare case of West Nile virus has been detected in a camelid (a group of species that includes llamas, alpacas, and camels), bringing the overall case count for Michigan up to 40 as of late October.

“While WNV typically affects horses, humans, and birds, the disease can sometimes cause illness in other animals,” State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said. “Therefore, even though this case is rare, it is not fully unexpected.”

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The disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and cannot be spread by animal-to-human or animal-to-animal contact.

Wineland said the camelid became ill with head and neck tremors before it became unable to rise and eventually succumbed to the virus. Other possible symptoms include weakness, stumbling, and lack of awareness. Michigan Emerging disease Issues recommends taking steps to keep animals away from mosquitoes, including keeping livestock in barns under fans during peak mosquito activity and using insect repellent.

Symptoms in humans include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people who are infected do not develop symptoms, but the illness can become serious in a few people if it affects the central nervous system.

Medications or vaccines to treat or prevent the disease are not available, but patients usually recover on their own or receive supportive treatment in the hospital.

Over 100 mosquito pools in Michigan have tested positive for the disease as of October. MEDI recommends looking out for sick or dead birds, especially crows or blue jays, which can be a sign that WNV is present in a community.

Twenty-five Michigan counties have reported positive animal or mosquito pools, while human cases have been reported in 14 counties. No human deaths have been reported this year.

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