West Nile Virus found in Oakland County Mosquitoes

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – The first mosquito pools in Oakland County in 2018 were tested positive for West Nile virus. No confirmed human case of the virus has occurred in Oakland County this year. Oakland County residents are urged to protect themselves against the threat of West Nile virus by taking necessary precautions

"West Nile virus is usually detected from June to September," said Leigh-Anne Stafford. "The best way to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquito bites."

Warmer temperatures lead to an increase in mosquitoes and exposure to mosquito-borne diseases. Follow these tips to avoid mosquito bites:

-Use an insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All insect repellents approved by the EPA are evaluated for their safety and efficacy and will contain DEET, picaridine, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil or para. -menthane-diol as the active ingredient. Repellents containing a higher percentage of the active ingredient generally provide more durable protection. Always follow the instructions on the product label

• . Be careful using a repellent on children's hands as this could irritate the eyes and mouth.

– Remove mosquito breeding sites by removing stagnant water around your house:

• Return any type of container that can collect water. Once a week, empty the items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, bird baths, pet bowls, jars of water flowers and trash cans.
• Clean clogged gutters, especially if leaves tend to clog drains.
• Treat stagnant water that can not be removed, such as retention ponds or drainage ditches, with a mosquito larvicide. Mosquito larvicide is easy to use and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

-Wear protective clothing such as shirts and long-sleeved pants.
-Limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
-Maintain mosquito nets on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Do not support open doors.

West Nile virus is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are infected with the virus by biting an infected bird. The virus is then transmitted to humans by the bite of the infected mosquito. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or suffer from a mild illness such as fever, headache and body aches. However, in some people, a more serious disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the brain can develop. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop severe and potentially fatal symptoms of West Nile virus if they become ill.

For up-to-date public health information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Nurse on Call is available at 800-848-5533 or [email protected], 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday

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