Kalamazoo County Health department issues update on mosquito surveillance

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tuesday, the Kalamazoo County Health Department issued a reminder for residents to continue to take precautions against mosquito bites when going outside.

Over the last few months, the county has been conducting surveillance activities to search for any mosquitos carrying various illnesses.

Michigan is known to have several mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus (WNV), Jamestown Canyon virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Most recently, EEE has been detected in a mosquito pool in Barry County and in an infected horse in Livingston County.

To date within Kalamazoo County, there has been no EEE activity within mosquito pools, nor have any human or animal cases been reported.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit a virus,” Environmental Health Division Chief Vern Johnson said in a statement. “I strongly encourage people limit the time they spend outdoors during dusk and dawn, the prime feeding times for mosquitos.”

There are many measures people can take to best protect themselves from mosquito-borne viruses.

To avoid mosquito bites, the health department recommends taking the following steps:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside. Repair any ripped or torn window and door screens.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
• Use nets or fans over outdoor eating areas.
• Minimize outdoor lighting around your house after dark since mosquitos are also attracted to light.

“Mosquito-borne illnesses will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing,” Johnson added.

Further Resources – 

More information about WNV can be found at:

• https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,4579,7-186-76711_76752—,00.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

More information about Jamestown Canyon can be found at:

• https://www.cdc.gov/jamestown-canyon/index.html

More information about EEE can be found at:

• https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,4579,7-186-76711_77442—,00.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/tech/epi.html