A possible human case of West Nile Virus was detected in Oakland County, according to officials Thursday.<\/p>\n
According to the Oakland County Health Department, Michigan reported six West Nile Virus and one eastern equine encephalitis human cases in 2026. Oakland County reported a probable human West Nile Virus case on Sept. 10.<\/p>\n
No further information was provided regarding the possible human case of West Nile Virus in Oakland County. However, the county health department released tips to help residents protect themselves from mosquito bites.<\/p>\n
Here are mosquito prevention tips provided by the Oakland County Health Department:<\/p>\n
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent.<\/p>\n
All EPA-registered insect repellents are evaluated for safety and effectiveness, and will contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD) as the active ingredient. Repellents containing a higher percentage of the active ingredient typically provide longer-lasting protection.<\/p>\n
Always follow the product label instructions.<\/p>\n
Be careful using repellent on the hands of children, as it may irritate the eyes and mouth.<\/p>\n
Adults should spray insect repellent onto their hands, then apply it to a child\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.<\/p>\n
Remove mosquito breeding sites by eliminating standing water around your home.<\/p>\n
Turn over any container that can collect water. Once a week, empty items that hold water such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, flowerpots and trash containers.<\/p>\n
Clean clogged roof gutters, especially if leaves tend to plug the drains.<\/p>\n
Treat standing water – such as retention ponds or drainage ditches – with a mosquito larvicide. It is easy to use and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.<\/p>\n
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.<\/p>\n
Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active<\/p>\n
Make sure there are no holes in window and door screens. Do not prop open doors.<\/p>\n
West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne virus, occurs when a mosquito bites an infected bird. The virus then spreads to humans when an infected mosquito bites them.<\/p>\n
Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or experience a mild illness, such as fever, headache, and body aches. But some people could get a more serious disease-causing inflammation and swelling of the brain can develop. <\/p>\n
People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious and possibly life-threatening symptoms of West Nile Virus.<\/p>\n