(WWJ) State health officials are urging residents and visitors to take precautions after the first mosquito-borne virus of 2022 detected in Michigan mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes recently collected in Bay County have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL), the department announced Thursday.
Here is what state health officials want Michiganders to know:
• The JCV virus sickened six Michiganders in 2021.
• JCV is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes.
• Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite
• While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache and fatigue.
• In rare cases, JCV can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.
• Also last year, there were 46 cases of West Nile Virus and one case of EEE; Seven of the WNV cases last year resulted in death.
“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible, and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”
While the JCV is found throughout much of the U.S., cases have been increasing in the Midwest, according to the health department. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing, but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment. This is the second year that the MDHHS BOL is offering virus testing of mosquito pools collected by local health departments and county mosquito control programs. Testing is offered to improve detection and notification of mosquito-borne viruses.
JCV can be spread by mosquitoes that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses including WNV and EEE spread when mosquitoes contract the virus from biting infected birds then biting a human.
Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families.
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These steps are recommended to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• 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 mosquitoes outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.
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