WASHTENAW COUNTY (WWJ) - The Washtenaw County Health Department has released a reminder after mosquitoes have tested positive for a pair of viruses.
Mosquitoes collected last week were found to have contained the Jamestown Canyon virus and West Nile virus.
Susan Ringler-Cerniglia with the health department said majority of people infected do not become ill, but infections CAN become serious in rare cases.
"Well, this is a possibility. We detected these viruses locally that doesn't mean that the risk is high," Ringler-Cerniglia said.
"It doesn't mean that the risk of severe illness is high. Most people who could become infected with either of these viruses, specifically West Nile and the Jamestown Canyon virus, most people won't become ill."
According to the health department, a total of four samples tested positive: three for Jamestown Canyon virus and one for West Nile virus. These collection sites were spread across the county -- in Ann Arbor, Independence Lake County Park in Whitmore Lake, Pinckney Recreation Area, and Ypsilanti.
No human cases of either virus have been reported.
The Health Department does not recommend avoiding the outdoors but instead urges precautions.
The department said avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, listing these recommendations:
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use. (Environmental Protection Agency’s Insect Repellent Search Tool)
• 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, kiddie pools, and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs. (Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development’s list of licensed pesticide control businesses)
The health department also listed more information about the two viruses:
Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV)
In 2021, six human cases of JCV were reported in Michigan and one in 2022. None of these were in Washtenaw County residents.
The JCV virus is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitoes. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-fall. Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite from an infected mosquito. While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.
While the JCV is found throughout much of the U.S., cases have been increasing in the Midwest. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), 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 third year that the MDHHS has offered virus testing of mosquito pools collected by local health departments and county mosquito control programs. This testing program identified the positive results in Washtenaw.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
In Michigan last year, 12 human cases of WNV were reported. Washtenaw County has not had a human case of WNV reported since 2018.
Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. About one in four people infected will experience mild illness with fever, headache, and body aches, sometimes with a skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
Less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected with West Nile virus will develop a severe illness like encephalitis or meningitis. The risk of getting West Nile encephalitis is higher in persons 50 years of age or older. More severe infection may be marked by convulsions, disorientation, headache, high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, or paralysis. In a few cases, mostly among the elderly, death may occur.
Local public health information and updates are always available at www.washtenaw.org/health.
You can read more about the Washtenaw County Health Department mosquito-related illnesses here.
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