OTTAWA COUNTY (WWJ) - Officials in West Michigan say they have identified two cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a pair of hospitalized patients -- and they're now warning residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) said the two patients came back positive for WNV after coming into contact with an infected mosquito in West Michigan.
Neither had a history of travel and as of Thursday morning, neither had died from the virus.
Officials warned that while most infected people don't feel sick or experience mild symptoms (like a fever, headache and rash), WNV can lead to serious illness and even death in every 1 out of 150 infections.
According to OCDPH, WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, beating out other illnesses such as malaria, dengue, Zika and more.
It is most commonly spread to people when they are bit by a mosquito. Cases of WNV occur when mosquitos are most active in the summer and early fall months.
There are currently no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms, but is not a cure.
People who develop more serious illnesses may need to be hospitalized to manage symptoms.
With the latest cases, officials are urging the public to be diligent in protecting themselves against mosquito bites -- which is the only way to prevent a WNV infection -- as well as recognizing symptoms of the virus.
Symptoms
Roughly eight out of 10 people will not develop any symptoms of WNV. If so, Mild symptoms can include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches and joint pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
In the case of serious illness, a patient's central nervous system can be affected, resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
Symptoms of severe illness include:
• High fever
• Neck stiffness
• Muscle weakness
• Vision loss
• Stupor, disorientation
• Tremors, convulsions
• Numbness
• Paralysis
• Coma
The best way to prevent exposure to WNV is to avoid mosquito bites. Measures the public can take to help achieve this goal are:
• 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 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, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.
If you think you or a family member might have West Nile virus disease, officials urge you to speak with your health care provider.
Information on WNV, and other viruses transmitted by mosquitoes and insects in the State of Michigan, can be found here.
