First Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Case Detected in Kent County This Season

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 11, 2024) - The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) has confirmed the first neuroinvasive case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the county this season. A local resident was hospitalized after experiencing symptoms, and health officials believe the virus was contracted locally due to the lack of recent travel outside the county and no occupational risk factors for WNV.

On August 21, 2024, the KCHD Mosquito Surveillance team detected a positive mosquito pool on the northwest side of Grand Rapids as part of their annual summer tracking and testing. This location aligns with the general area where the affected resident lives.

The Mosquito Surveillance Team regularly traps mosquitoes across Kent County using different trap types in multiple habitats to test for WNV, Jamestown Canyon Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, LaCrosse Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The results are shared with local municipalities to help refine mosquito control efforts.

"This confirmed case of West Nile virus emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures against mosquitoes," said Brendan Earl, Supervising Sanitarian at KCHD. "It confirms that mosquitoes in our area are actively carrying the virus, which poses a risk to humans. Everyone must take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of infection."

Since there is no vaccine or cure for WNV, the best treatment is prevention until the first hard frost. The KCHD recommends the following measures:

• Wear a mosquito repellent that contains 10 to 35 percent DEET (read and follow product directions)
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce skin exposure.
• Stay indoors during dawn and disk to reduce your risk of being bitten.
• Remove or refresh water in bird baths, children's wading pools, pet water bowls, and other small containers that collect water in your yard.
• Ensure window screens and roof gutters are in good repair.

More information about prevention can be found at: https://www.accesskent.com/Health/Environmental/vector.htm.

Only about 20 percent of the people infected with WNV will notice symptoms that may include headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue. Most people with WNV recover entirely, but fatigue may linger. About 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness that can affect the central nervous system. Recovery may take several months. Some damage to the central nervous system can be permanent. In rare instances, the disease can lead to death.

This release has been issued in a timely manner as a public health notification, it will be available in Spanish at: https://www.accesskent.com/News/

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