Two people have tested positive for West Nile Virus in west Michigan.
Both cases are in Ottawa County, and the Ottawa County Department of Health says both are hospitalized. Neither of the individuals have travelled recently, so it’s believed they contracted the illness from mosquitoes in Michigan.
Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us some people get West Nile Virus and never even know it. However, it can be a major problem when serious.
“If you do get bitten and in three to 14 days, you’re experiencing some symptoms from that bite, it would be something like headache, body aches, joint pain, and fatigue,” Miller said. “About one in 150 infected people can develop a serious case, and it gets serious when it leads to encephalitis or meningitis. Although that’s very rare, if those types of symptoms aren’t treated, it can be fatal.”
Miller says the best way to avoid West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites. That means using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves and pants.
He notes this is the time of year when health officials would expect to see West Nile Virus, before the first freeze.
Miller recommends removing standing water on your property and staying inside around dusk and dawn.
