First MI Mosquito-Borne Virus Cases Found In Metro Detroit

METRO DETROIT — One person from Macomb County and one person from Oakland County tested positive for the Jamestown Canyon virus, a deadly mosquito-borne illness, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The two residents are the first human cases in Michigan so far. The virus was also found in mosquito pools in Bay, Saginaw, and Washtenaw counties, officials said.

Another mosquito-borne illness, West Nile, has been found in mosquitos in Kalamazoo, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties. The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season, peaking in August and September, officials said.

"It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness, so we advise using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active," MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian said. "It’s a good idea to take extra precautions during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn."

The mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted to humans through an infected mosquito bite. Most people who contract the virus have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, officials said.

Symptoms typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and a severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis, officials said.

These are the best ways to prevent any mosquito-borne viruses:

• 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.
• 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.