LANSING (WWJ) - Two Michigan residents have tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV).
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported that individuals affected, residents of Macomb and Oakland counties, are the first mosquito or tick bite infections identified in the state this year.
The risk of mosquito-borne illness peaks in August and September.
"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,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in a Press Release.
“It’s a good idea to take extra precautions during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn.”
JCV has been found in mosquitoes that were tested in Bay, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties this summer. West Nile Virus (WNV) has been found in mosquitoes collected in Kalamazoo, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. WNV and JCV were found as recently as last week, as announced by the Washtenaw County Health Department.
The MDHHS said most people have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and a severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis.
The MDHHS reminds residents that the best way to protect against all mosquito-borne illnesses including JCV, WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) is to prevent mosquito bites.
Michigan residents can prevent mosquito-borne illnesses by reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home and take precautions to avoid bites.
MDHHS precautions 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.
• 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.
Learn more about the Jamestown Canyon virus on the CDC website.
You can learn more about mosquito-borne illnesses by going to Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.
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