United States: Kent County Health Department declared that the West Nile virus has been identified while monitoring mosquito pools in the county.
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The positive result was recorded in the 49525 ZIP code, encompassing a section of Grand Rapid City, Plainfield Township, and Grand Rapid Charter Township.
KCHD supervising sanitarian Brendan Earl added that the virus was discovered a bit earlier in the summer than in previous years. That’s based on archived News 8 records, which show that Kent County did not record the virus in 2023 until August.
According to Earl, “(That indicates) a need for heightened vigilance and preventative measures,” and “It lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus, which could spread to humans. It is crucial for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites to reduce the risk of infection,” as woodtv.com reported.
Symptoms shown by the infected – Experts
KCHD’s medical division has reported that about 80 percent of those affected by the West Nile virus do not show any signs. Still, common nonspecific ones are fever, headaches, muscle and joint pains, and tiredness.
The general prognosis in WNV patients showed that they mostly recover wholly. However, there is a neuroinvasive syndrome seen to develop in about 1/150 of the patients.
Recovery may be measured in months, while at other times the harm is for life and perhaps even fatal.
Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the West Nile virus; the KCHD says the only way to avoid infection is by preventing it, as woodtv.com reported.
Protective measures advised by health officials
The department advises personal protection measures such as using a mosquito repellent with a 10 percent DEET concentration, wearing light-colored clothing, and avoiding going out during the evening when mosquitoes are most active.
The department also suggests checking all your window screens for spaces, closing them, and finally draining or changing any stagnant water on the compound that can harbor mosquitoes.
Number of cases reported
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that as of the week prior, there have been eight positive tests of mosquito-borne viruses in the state, but there are no human cases yet.
The tests on the eight collected mosquito pools pointed to the Jamestown Canyon virus. Out of the described positive cases, four patients originated from Saginaw County, three from Bay County, and one from Calhoun County.
The analysis showed that in the previous year, 24 residents of Michigan State had contracted West Nile, and six residents contracted JCV.