Kent County Health Department - July 2024 Newsletter

Dear Community Members,

I hope you had a fantastic Independence Day and are making the most of the beautiful summer weather here in Kent County. You may, however, have noticed a few irritating and unwanted guests at your outdoor gatherings… mosquitoes and ticks. If it seems like they are worse than usual, you are not alone in that conversation. Here at KCHD, our mosquito and tick surveillance programs have seen unusually large populations of these parasites this summer. I'm sure there are many possible explanations for this, including a mild winter and sufficient precipitation to support successive mosquito generations of multiple species. In addition to being a nuisance, these pests also increase the risk of vector-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Lyme Disease, and others. Our KCHD surveillance team identified WNV positive mosquitoes several weeks ago, which was well over a month earlier than we usually find WNV. They have also identified a related virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, in mosquitoes and we remain concerned about the potential for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Thankfully, no human cases of WNV have been reported as of this date, but it's important to note that the greatest risk generally presents itself in late summer and does not subside until we have a hard frost. On the tick front: through June of this year, physicians in Kent County diagnosed 54 human cases of Lyme Disease - almost five times more than the median number of cases reported through June of the prior five years. The increased presence of the problematic black-legged tick, along with several other tick species, throughout the Lower Peninsula in recent years is a significant public health concern.

Now that I've heightened your concern with this buggy information, what should a person do? My prescription for a healthier Kent County is this: get outside and get active! The research findings are conclusive: being active in outdoor environments is good for human health in countless ways. The benefits for physical and mental health far outweigh the risks of vector-borne illness. Go for a walk. Go to the beach. Go fishing. Plant a garden. Get outside and take someone with you. As you do those things, my advice is to empower yourself with knowledge about the risks and how to mitigate them. Wear an effective mosquito repellent with 10-35% DEET, wear light colored clothing, avoid times & places where mosquitoes are thickest, and dump out any small containers around your home that could host mosquito larvae in stagnant water (cans, toys, buckets, bird baths, etc.). Regarding ticks, please give yourself a thorough self-inspection at the end of the day. You should also carefully inspect your children and pets. The Lyme Disease causing organism is not immediately transmitted. Carefully removing an attached tick as near as possible to the skin with tweezers can usually prevent infection. It's important to remove attached ticks before they become fully engorged (usually about 24 hours). Contact your physician if you develop symptoms of any of these illnesses, but most importantly: people should not let fear of these risks stop them from enjoying the outdoors.

Adam London, PhD, RS, DAAS
Administrative Health Officer

On April 12th, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) received a baseline environmental assessment for a property on 11 Mile Road, revealing PFAS contamination exceeding safe levels. Subsequently, EGLE began sampling nearby residential wells, discovering PFAS contamination in several.

Due to the site's proximity to Wolverine Worldwide properties, further investigation revealed PFAS and metal contamination. EGLE and KCHD have since collaborated on ongoing water testing, resulting in 24 residential wells exceeding PFAS criteria. Interim measures include providing filters, with long-term solutions pending.

We were happy to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our North Kent Clinic last month! Over the past year, our facility at 17 Mile Rd NE in Cedar Springs has become a central hub for essential services.

Our public health clinic has provided vital care, including immunizations, WIC program support, and personal health services, making a significant difference in our community's well-being. We are proud of the work that our team is doing to support our Northern residents, offering a broader range of services, increasing accessibility, and alleviating the need for residents to travel for care.

Your health is in your hands! Everyone who is sexually active should get tested at least yearly or more based on risk. Services are available for all persons 13 years of age or older.

When:
Monday's & Wednesday's 1-4 pm for the summer of 2024. Walk-ins welcome. Testing will not be available on 8/14 & 9/2.

Where:
In the Mobile Unit stationed at our South Clinic: 4700 Kalamazoo Ave. Kentwood, MI.

Call us at 616-632-7171 to schedule an appointment. To learn more, visit here.