Health officials in Oakland County urge residents to take precautionary measures against West Nile virus after its recent discovery in a mosquito sample at Pontiac.

Residents must use an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved insect repellent, wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, and maintain window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. indicated officials. It is also wise to avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

People can help reduce mosquito breeding sites by eliminating stagnant water around their homes.

The discovery at Pontiac is the first positive sample in Oakland County so far this season. There was no human case.

More: Detroit ranked 7th worldwide in mosquitoes

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or suffer from a mild illness, such as fever, headache and body aches.

However, some people can develop a serious disease that affects the central nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis. People 50 years of age and older are more likely to develop serious life-threatening symptoms.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, visit oakgov.com/health or follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Contact Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6504 or at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.

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