First West Nile virus case of 2022 detected in blood donation from Oakland County resident

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – West Nile virus has been detected in a blood donation from an Oakland County resident.

The donor had no signs of sickness and it was discovered throughout routine screening of the blood. The screening is to assist guarantee the protection of the blood provide in Michigan.

Donations that check constructive for the virus don’t enter the blood provide. In 2021, the virus was detected in seven Michigan blood donors.

“We need to remind residents of Michigan that mosquito season just isn’t over and it solely takes one chew from an contaminated mosquito to trigger a extreme sickness,” stated Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical government. “Take precautions similar to utilizing insect repellent and sporting long-sleeve shirts and lengthy pants when open air throughout instances when mosquitoes are energetic.”

Learn: Mosquitoes are buzzing round Michigan: Right here’s how you can shield your self from bites, ailments

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What’s West Nile virus?

Most individuals who change into contaminated with WNV don’t develop any signs. When folks do change into unwell signs embody headache, physique aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most individuals with that kind of WNV get better fully.

Lower than 1% of individuals contaminated will develop a critical neurologic sickness. Signs embody headache, excessive fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis.

It’s transmitted via the chew of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an contaminated chicken. Signs seem three to 15 days after the chew of an contaminated mosquito.

Learn: Michigan’s first mosquito-borne virus of 2022 detected — right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know

The place has the virus been present in 2022?

The virus has been present in mosquitoes collected in Iosco, Arenac, Huron, Genesee and Kent counties, in addition to birds collected in Bay and Shiawassee counties. That is the primary human case reported this yr.

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Stopping mosquito bites

Mosquitoes aren’t simply obnoxious, in addition they carry the danger of spreading ailments to folks and animals.

“Whether or not you employ an insect repellent or insecticide, at all times keep in mind to learn and observe all label instructions,” added Verhougstraete. “The label is the legislation.”

So what are you able to do to forestall bites? Michigan officers counsel taking the next steps:

• When used as directed, Environmental Safety Company (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of many energetic components beneath are confirmed protected and efficient, even for pregnant and breastfeeding ladies: DEET, Picaridin (often known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outdoors the US), IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone.

• Put on light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and lengthy pants when open air. Apply insect repellent to clothes to assist stop bites.

• Preserve window and door screening to assist preserve mosquitoes outdoors.

• Empty water from mosquito breeding websites across the residence, similar to buckets, unused kiddie swimming pools, outdated tires or comparable websites the place mosquitoes lay eggs.

Mosquitoes lay eggs in or close to standing water

Mosquitoes want standing water to breed. That’s why you must empty, scrub or cowl any objects that maintain water.

Standing water is usually present in outdated tires, buckets, planters, toys, swimming pools, birdbaths, flower pot saucers or trash containers.

Mosquitoes can full their life cycle in a few week. The CDC recommends utilizing an out of doors insect spray made to kill grownup mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are sometimes present in darkish, humid areas.

Can’t take away standing water? Larvicides are an choice

For those who’re unable to take away the standing water the place you reside then you definitely’ve bought one different choice: Larvicides.

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Larvicides work by killing mosquito larvae and pupae earlier than they develop into pesky adults. Based on the CDC, in case you use larvicides appropriately they don’t hurt folks, pets or the surroundings.

Larvicides are available in liquids, tablets, bits, pellets, granules and briquettes. You employ them by making use of them the place mosquitoes lay eggs (which means anyplace that holds standing water). That may embody buckets and rain barrels, fountains, gutters or downspouts, non-chlorinated swimming swimming pools, pool covers that accumulate water, tires and tree holes.

Use larvicides to deal with standing water that won’t be used for ingesting and can’t be lined, dumped or eliminated.

Learn: Every little thing it’s worthwhile to learn about ‘Mosquito Dunks’: What’s Bti? How does it work? Is it protected?