The Wayne and Macomb county health departments reported finding mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile virus.
The announcement follows Oakland County Health Department's finding of a pool testing positive in July.
No confirmed cases of West Nile virus in humans have been reported in Michigan.
Macomb County warned residents Wednesday to protect themselves from the deadly virus.
According to a news release, the county said it was the first time the virus was detected this summer in two separate samplings of mosquitoes gathered in Macomb County. The location of the finding has not been released.
Carol Austerberry, division director and deputy health officer of Wayne County, confirmed the county's first positive finding of West Nile virus in a mosquito. The mosquito was found in a Westland mosquito trap.
"The Wayne County Health, Veterans and Community Wellness Department has actively trapped and tested mosquitoes for many years," Austerberry said. "Every year, our agency has had mosquitoes that test positive for WNV."
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus spreads to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. There is no West Nile virus vaccine currently available.
Most people infected will not show severe symptoms. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 people infected will develop a fever with a headache, body ache, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.
Recovery could take months and about 10 percent of people who develop neurological infections due to West Nile virus will die, the CDC said.
No comments:
Post a Comment