4 Oakland County Cities Testing Positive For West Nile Virus

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — The Oakland County Health Division is advising residents to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases while outdoors after the West Nile Virus was confirmed in four different cities this year.

Diseases such as West Nile virus are seasonal and flare up in the warm summer months and continue into the fall, according to health officials.

So far, no confirmed human cases of the virus have occurred in Oakland County this year, they said. But to date, mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Madison Heights, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak in 2019.

“The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County. “Whether you are at home or an outdoor event, there are simple steps that residents can take to reduce their risk of disease.”

Here are some prevention tips:

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellant. All EPA-registered insect repellants are evaluated for safety and effectiveness, and will contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol as the active ingredient. Repellents containing a higher percentage of the active ingredient typically provide longer-lasting protection. Always follow the product label instructions.

• Be careful using repellent on the hands of children as it may irritate the eyes and mouth.

Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water around your home:

• Turn over any type of container that can collect water. Once a week, empty out items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, flowerpots, and trash containers.
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated, such as retention ponds or drainage ditches, with a mosquito larvicide. Mosquito larvicide is easy to use and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings. Do not prop open doors.
“Positive mosquito pools found in these communities is an indicator that West Nile Virus is present in Oakland County,” said Stafford.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus. Mosquitoes are infected with the virus by biting an infected bird. The virus is then spread to humans through the bite of the infected mosquito.

Most people who are infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches. However, in some individuals, a more serious disease-causing inflammation and swelling of the brain can develop. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms of West Nile Virus if they do get sick.

For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or call Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533.