Michigan - Sanilac: West Nile

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The first human West Nile virus infection of 2018 has been confirmed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Sanilac County Health Department.

A blood donor tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus.

Blood donations are screened for West Nile prior to distribution to ensure that the blood supply is safe.

Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will not develop any symptoms. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure.

Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families. The following steps are recommended to avoid WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases:

Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing, and always following the manufacturer’s directions for use.
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 mosquitoes outside.
Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.

For more information and surveillance activity about West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses, visit http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwNzMxLjkzMTgyMTgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDczMS45MzE4MjE4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NTM1MjcyJmVtYWlsaWQ9anNhcmRhckB3bG5zLmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9anNhcmRhckB3bG5zLmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus" rel="nofollow - - .

Source: https://www.wlns.com/news/sanilac-county-blood-donor-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus/1336955174" rel="nofollow - https://www.wlns.com/news/sanilac-county-blood-donor-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus/1336955174

Sanilac County blood donor tests positive for West Nile virus