Bird tests positive for West Nile virus in Washtenaw County

To prevent mosquito bites, wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks. Wear insect repellent containing active ingredients approved by the EPA

Last week the Washtenaw County Health Department reported that a crow found in the 48105 zip code has tested positive for West Nile virus on the same day as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services  confirmed eight human cases of West Nile virus in Michigan so far in 2018. The human cases include one resident of Berrien County, one resident of Kent County, one resident of Oakland County, and five residents of Wayne County, including one death. All but one have been hospitalized with neurologic disease. In addition to the eight human cases, three Michigan blood donors have had WNV detected in their blood.

The Washtenaw County Health Department is encouraging residents to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the potential spread of West Nile. “We haven’t seen human cases of West Nile in Washtenaw County yet this year, but they are most likely in late August and early September,” says Laura Bauman, epidemiology manager at the Washtenaw County Health Department.

West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause mild illness (West Nile fever) or severe symptoms (encephalitis or meningitis, an inflammation of the brain) in humans and other animals. Most people who become infected with WNV will not develop any symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. About one-in-five infected persons will have mild illness with fever, and about one in 150 infected people will become severely ill. West Nile is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile when they feed on infected birds that carry the virus in their blood.

As of August 15, 42 birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Michigan this year. Metro Detroit and Greater Grand Rapids are seeing increased West Nile activity in mosquitoes.

Follow these tips to keep yourself and your family safe throughout the summer and fall:

• Eliminate standing water around your home and yard. Mosquitoes need water to lay eggs. Get rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or any water-holding containers. Fill in or drain any low places (puddles, ruts, etc.) in the yard. Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of weeds and trash so water will drain properly. Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use. Unused swimming pools should be drained and kept dry during the mosquito season. Change the water in pet dishes, horse troughs, birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.
• Fight the bite. Wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks. Wear insect repellent containing active ingredients approved by the EPA — visit the EPA’s Inspect Repellent Search Tool for help in finding the right insect repellent for your needs. Spray clothing with repellent, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Read repellant labels carefully and follow instructions.
• Report any dead birds you find. High numbers of dead birds can indicate the virus is active in a particular area. Report dead birds at the State of Michigan Sick or Dead Bird & Mammal Reporting Website.

 For more information, as well as a chart of current virus activity, visit www.washtenaw.org/1849/West-Nile-Virus.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.