MI First 2022 West Nile Case Found In Blood From Oakland County Donor

MICHIGAN — State health officials found Michigan's first 2022 West Nile virus case in donated blood from an Oakland County patient who experienced no symptoms, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.

Health officials found the virus while screening the donations, something they routinely do to help ensure the virus does not enter the blood supply. In 2021, the virus was detected in seven Michigan blood donors.

"We want to remind residents of Michigan that mosquito season is not over and it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. "Take precautions such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active."

Although no human cases were reported, health officials have found the West Nile virus in five Michigan counties, including Iosco, Arenac, Huron, Genesee and Kent so far this year. Officials also detected the Jamestown Canyon virus in Mosquito pools from Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.

Most people who get the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become sick three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of arbovirus infection, like the West Nile virus, typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and a severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis, state health officials said.

As mosquito season peaks (August and September), health officials the best way to protect against mosquito bites include:

• Using EPA registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone; follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed. (However, Don’t use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting).
• Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
• Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.