Michigan confirms 1st human case of West Nile virus this year

• A Livingston County resident was sickened by West Nile virus, the first human case of the disease in Michigan this year
• The disease is typically transmitted from infected mosquitoes, causing symptoms like headache, joint pains and fatigue
• Individuals are advised to wear insect repellent and light-colored clothing when outdoors 

Michiganders are advised to take extra precautions against mosquitoes, especially during the height of the summer when it is much more common for mosquitoes and other insects to transmit diseases. 

The state Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Michigan’s first human case of West Nile virus so far this year. The Livingston County resident contracted the disease out of state and became sick in June, according to the Department. 

There have been over 2,500 mosquito pools tested this year but none in Livingston County. Over a dozen pools of mosquitoes in Bay, Kent, Ottawa, Saginaw and St. Clair counties have tested positive for West Nile virus. 

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The human case comes just as the virus was detected in Macomb County, just two counties over, from a sample of mosquitoes collected on July 11, the county health department announced Monday morning. 

“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 and health officer for the county’s Health and Community Services in a press statement. “We encourage everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites to the greatest extent possible.” 

Only 19 states have reported human cases of the disease this year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far this year, there have been 45 human cases of West Nile virus. 

West Nile virus is a disease that can affect anyone but those 60 years or older are more vulnerable. Symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. Most people who contract the disease don’t show symptoms, according to the CDC. 

In rare cases, CDC says, West Nile can lead to severe illnesses like encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Severe cases can lead to death, especially among older people and those with weakened immune systems.

Mosquitoes can also transmit other diseases like Eastern equine encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon virus, which so far this year has been detected in at least five Michigan counties — Bay, Calhoun, Dickinson, Saginaw and St. Clair — according to the state’s emerging-diseases website.  

Mosquitoes are most active from June through late September but this year, the insects got a head start in Michigan and began to emerge as early as March. Mosquitoes can survive in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though the disease-carrying species are most active in the summer.  

How to protect yourself 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reminds residents to take the necessary steps to protect themselves against mosquitoes: 

• Use insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. 
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, like buckets, unused kiddie pools and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs.