Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

West Nile Virus       

The Michigan Department of Community Health has confirmed today that a crow found dead in the City of Clio last week has tested positive for the West Nile virus.  This brings to three the number of counties this year where birds have tested positive for the West Nile virus.  The other two counties are Wayne and Ingham.  No human cases of the West Nile virus infection have been detected in Michigan.

 Dr. Gary Johnson, Medical Director of the Genesee County Health Department states:  "It is important to emphasize that the risk of humans developing serious illness from the virus is very low; in fact, most infected people will have no symptoms.  The key is prevention, so simple precautions to avoid contact with mosquitoes, which can transmit the virus to humans, should be taken." The virus in NOT transmitted from person-to-person.  You cannot get it from touching or kissing a person who has the virus or from a health care worker who has treated someone with it. Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms, but some may become ill three to fifteen days after the bite of an infected mosquito.  Based on preliminary evidence, about one in four infected persons will have mild illness with fever, headache and body aches, sometimes with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.  Encephalitis is less common and may include headache, high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis.  In a few cases, mostly among the elderly, death may occur.

"While there is no human vaccine for the West Nile virus, there are many ways to reduce the risk of becoming infected."   Dr Johnson further states these ways include: 

·    Apply insect repellent that contains the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin.  Follow the manufacturer's directions for use on the label.

·    Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.  Follow the manufacturer's directions for use on the label.

·    Avoid applying repellent to children under 2 years of age, and to the hands of older children because repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth.

·    Maintain window and door screening to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.

·    Drain standing water in the yard.  Empty water from mosquito breeding sites, such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar sites in which mosquitoes can lay eggs.

·    Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Prevention tips for horses include:

·    Use approved insect repellants to protect horses.

·    Put horses in stables, stalls or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dawn to dusk, if possible.

·    Eliminate standing water and drain troughs and buckets at least two times a week.

·    Consult with local veterinarian about using the now available approved vaccine to help control this disease in horses.

The Genesee County Health Department can provide educational materials on WNV and strategies for prevention of WNV disease to interested county residents.  For questions or additional information, use the link below or contact the GCHD, at 257-3612.   

Additional West Nile virus information and links

Release Date:  For immediate release     Kill Date:  June 27, 2002

Contact Person:  Gary Johnson, M.D., Medical Director

Genesee County Health Department Phone:  (810) 257-3612