MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — The Monroe County Health Department announced Monday it has detected a human case of West Nile virus in a county resident.
No information was provided on when the human case of the virus was detected. The health department said about one in five individuals infected develop symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains and fatigue. They said it can lead to more severe complications in adults 50 years and older and those with weakened immune systems.
The health department said that as of Sept. 6, there have been 154 West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools, 39 West Nile virus-positive animals and seven human cases of the virus in Michigan, according to the weekly Michigan Arbovirus Surveillance Report.
The health department is reminding everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites while the weather is still warm.
"It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause severe illness," Robert Opfermann, communicable disease coordinator for the Monroe County Health Department said."
The MCHD shared some of the best ways to prevent mosquito-borne disease:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing.
- Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home. (buckets, kiddie pools, old tires etc.)
For more information on West Nile virus, click HERE.