Politics & Government

Bumper Mosquito Season Adding to Concerns About West Nile Virus

Livingston County's medical director says tips can help reduce risk after news of possible link to a death.

News of a death of that was linked to West Nile Virus arrives in a year where the insects have been more numerous and aggressive in Michigan, says Livingston County's medical director.

Dr. Donald Lawrenchuk of the county's public health department said heavy rains and the emergence of a larger, stripped-legged version of bug has made this year a bad one in the state. He said there have been plenty of calls from residents asking questions.

"The number of mosquitoes is up — everyone is talking about it," Lawrenchuk said. "I go out in my backyard and if I'm out there for more than 10 minutes, I'm covered in mosquitoes."

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Lawrenchuk said the death along with this intense year is all the more reason to take extra precautions to prevent bites. He said the insects don't travel more than 100 to 200 feet, so controlling them is possible with teamwork in area neighborhoods by draining standing water from places such as swimming pools and clogged gutters.

"You can greatly reduce the amont of mosquitos in your neighborhood, (but) it has to be a communitywide effort," he said.

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Lawrenchuk said most people who are infected won't get sick from the disease or mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, but that also points to a likely larger prevalence for the disease, noting reports of West Nile in Ohio. He said people with other conditions that have already complicated their immune systems are most at-risk as well as those older than 65 and younger than 1.

"The good news is most people don't have symptoms at all," said Lawrenchuk, but adding that for someone already sick the disease can be "like the straw that broke the camel's back."

That does make the 48-year-old's death puzzling because of his age, he said. The man, whose hometown and name wasn't released, was hospitalized earlier this month after showing symptoms of the virus. Tests to confirm that he died from the West Nile Virus are pending from the Michigan Department of Community Heath's Bureau of Laboratories.

"West Nile Virus is identified in Michigan every summer and can cause severe illness. We want to be sure that citizens take seriously the risk for WNV infection," Dean Sienko, state interim chief medical executive said in a release. "The months of August and September are when most human cases of West Nile Virus occur in Michigan."

Mosquitoes become infected with WNV and other diseases by biting a bird that carries the virus. The virus is then spread to humans through the bite of the infected mosquito.

The Livingston County public health department has a webpage devoted to the issue and Lawrenchuk also recommends the website of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Following these tips can help greatly reduce the chances of getting bitten and contracting the virus, he said.

"This is a preventable disease," Lawrenchuk said. "The key to prevention is education and making intelligent decisions to avoid mosquitoes."

More tips

  • Eliminating mosquito breeding sites around your home. Empty standing water from: flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, old tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar items where mosquitoes can lay eggs. For a list of other nonchemical mosquito control suggestions visit the State of Michigan Emerging Disease Issues website at: michigan.gov. Select “West Nile Virus,” then “Mosquito Control” and finally, “Homeowner Mosquito Control.”
  • Using an insect repellent that contains an active ingredient approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions, especially when using on or around children. Visit the EPA website at epa.gov for more information on insect repellents. 

Nonchemical ideas to prevent mosquitoes from biting include:

  • Avoid shaded and wooded areas where mosquitoes may be present.
  • Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors.
  • Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use a fan while sitting outside – as long as the fan is blowing air around mosquitoes won't be biting you.
  • Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.


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