The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has identified 57 birds contaminated with West Nile virus from 25 counties in the state this year and 11 West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools from Bay, Kent, Oakland, Saginaw and Wayne counties. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rash. Baker said he suspects that the drought has forced virus-carrying mosquitoes to scout for water and that they are finding it near animals, including horses.
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WNv has previously been detected in Jackson County during the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014 mosquito seasons.
Missouri reports seven West Nile illnesses – six in St. Louis city and county – and no deaths. “Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Corvallis confirmed the positives”, said Jim Lunders, Manager and Biologist of the Jackson County Vector Control District.
Deikun said two traps were sent in the village after it was sprayed: One caught no mosquitoes and the other only captured four.
Outbreaks of West Nile Virus have been occurring in the United States since 1999.
In a release, the health district emphasized the fact that West Nile Virus is native to Lake County since 2001 and will continue to be a “public health threat”. Even fewer people will develop the serious neuroinvasive disease tracked by the CDC, including West Nile-caused meningitis and encephalitis, but a lot of them will require hospitalization.
“Most people, about 80 percent, have no symptoms at all”, he said.
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Killing mosquito populations on your property, and wearing mosquito repellent will help people avoid infection. Long sleeves and long pants during dawn and dusk, high mosquito periods, along with repellent with DEET, are all very important.Reduce mosquito breeding by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths at least once a week.
