With Memorial Day weekend and the kickoff to summer now upon us, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Serves is reminding residents of the importance of preventing mosquito bites. Spokesperson Jennifer Eisner says there are two diseases, in particular, that mosquitoes transmit in Michigan.
“We see mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus and EEE [Eastern Equine Encephalitis],” Eisner told WSJM. “West Nile Virus is more common, and it’s something we’ve seen in our state going back to 2001.”
Eisner says while West Nile Virus doesn’t always have severe symptoms, it did result in two deaths last year. She says everyone can protect themselves from mosquitoes by using a mosquito repellent and following the instructions, repairing broken screens and windows in their home, and removing any standing water that might be on their property. You can get more information at Michigan.gov/MDHHS.
