Michigan Officials Confirm First Mosquito-Borne Virus Of 2024
Brace yourself because the dreadful mosquito season is coming. Get ready to become a walking buffet for those tiny but mighty, blood-sucking creatures. And to make matters worse, health officials are urging Michiganders to take precautions after authorities have confirmed the first mosquito-borne virus of 2024.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), mosquitoes collected in Saginaw County on May 22 have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV).
What is Jamestown Canyon Virus, the mosquito-borne virus?
JCV and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who get the virus have no symptoms of illness, but some become ill two to 14 days after the bite.
Symptoms of JCV include high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, JVC can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord, including encephalitis and meningitis.
Officials note that while the JCV is found throughout much of the United States, cases have been increasing in the Midwest. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment.
According to MDHHS, JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses, including West Nile Virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, spread when mosquitos contract the virus by biting infected birds and then biting a human.
âIt only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,â said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. âWe urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitos are present if possible, and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.â
JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021, one in 2022, and four in 2023. There were also 21 cases of West Nile Virus in 2023.
Ways to prevent mosquito bites
People can stay healthy by using simple ways to protect themselves and their families. The recommended steps to avoid mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing.
- Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.
