West Nile Virus Outbreak Hits Area

As local sporting teams gear up for upcoming athletic events, coaches and parents are advised to protect themselves and team members from mosquito bites that can cause (WNV) during practices, trainings and games.  

Locally the number of human cases of WNV has increased since early August from one to eight as of Aug. 21, according to the Oakland County Health Department.

Michigan health officials are reporting that a Washtenaw County woman who was hospitalized with viral meningitis is the .

The previously healthy woman who was between the ages of 75 and 85 was hospitalized at the beginning of August after showing symptoms commonly associated with the virus.

“Nationwide, we are experiencing the highest number of human West Nile Virus cases since 1999,” Oakland County Health Division Manager and Health Officer said. “We are encouraging athletic teams, their fans, and all residents to take protective measures during sporting events such as practice and games.”

A total of 1,118 cases have been reported thus far in 2012, the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to Center for Disease Control through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

Mosquitoes that are known to transmit WNV are most active from dusk to dawn. However, they may also be active during the day in wooded and shaded areas. Long sleeve shirts and long pants provide some protection; in addition people should use insect repellent on exposed skin.

Residents are encouraged to take the following steps to avoid WNV and other : 

• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
• Wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or other EPA-approved repellents to exposed skin or clothing, always following the manufacturer's directions for use

Most people bitten by a WNV-infected mosquito show no symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. About one in five infected persons will have mild illness with fever. About one in 150 infected people will become severely ill. Symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain linings) include stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis.

People 50 and older are more susceptible to severe WNV disease symptoms. Physicians are urged to test patients for WNV if they present with fever and signs of meningitis or encephalitis, or sudden painless paralysis in the absence of stroke in the summer months. For more information, visit the Oakland County Health Division website at www.oakgov.com/health or visit the state's emerging diseases website at www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus or the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.