The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified the Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) Thursday that a wild crow tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Allegan County. The bird was found dead in a yard in Otsego.
ACHD has not had any reported or confirmed cases of WNV in humans. Residents are encouraged to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites, which is how WNV and other diseases can spread. Mosquitos stay active until the first hard frost of the year.
Avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they carry with these steps:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered products to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas
WNV is an infection with mild to severe symptoms, which include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body Aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash (on chest, stomach, or back).
If you or a loved one suspect you may have WNV, contact your primary care physician. For more information on WNV and other mosquito-related diseases, visit the CDC or MDHHS websites.
