MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Macomb County Residents are being encouraged to protect themselves against West Nile Virus (WNV) after the Macomb County Health Department found infected mosquitoes in a sampling. 

“This discovery by our surveillance team is important because it lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus – which could spread to humans,” said Andrew Cox, Director/Health Officer at the Macomb County Health Department, “We encourage everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites to the greatest extent possible.”

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WNV is particularly dangerous to humans because there are no medications or vaccines to treat it.  The best protection against it is to take preventative measures.

Mosquitoes acquire the disease via the blood from infected birds before transmitting to humans.  Numerous people that are infected by the virus will not manifest any symptoms or may experience a mild illness with body aches, fever, and headache according to Macomb County.

People can develop very severe symptoms including brain inflammation or brain and spinal cord inflammation.  Individuals ages 50 and older, those with preexisting conditions including: diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, hypertension, or organ transplant recipients are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms 

Macomb County Medical officials suggest that residents follow these precautions: 

• Use an insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin on clothing and exposed skin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends the use of oil of lemon eucalyptus as a more natural repellant. Manufacturer’s directions should be closely followed when using these products.
• Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Residents should limit outdoor activities and wear pants and long sleeves, along with using repellent during these hours.
• People who work in outdoor occupations or like to spend time outdoors are also at increased risk for WNV infection from mosquito bites.
• Areas of standing water, such as buckets, flower pots, barrels, and children’s pools should be kept empty when not being used to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Change the water regularly in pet dishes and bird baths and keep gutters free of standing water.
• Window and door screens should be in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes and buildings.

Macomb County joins the growing list of counties in Michigan to report mosquito samples carrying the virus.  Iosco, Arenac, Huron, Genesee and Kent counties, as well as birds collected in Bay and Shiawassee counties reportedly have traces of the WNV according to a report.