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Health Department
Health and Community Services
43525 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5235

West Nile Virus

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West Nile Virus is a disease that can be transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.  It is important to remember that not all mosquitoes carry the disease and not everyone who is bit by an infected mosquito gets sick.  The population at highest risk to develop serious illness are the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Since its arrival in North America, West Nile Virus has spread across the nation and has become a seasonal epidemic that flares up in the late summer and continues into the fall.

 

The most effective way to avoid West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquito bites:

  • Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection.

  • Wear long sleeves and pants from dusk through dawn when many mosquitoes are most active.

  • Install or repair screens on windows and doors. If you have it, use your air conditioning.

  • Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. Empty standing water from containers such as flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths.

More information can be found at one of the links listed at the bottom left side of this page or the links listed below under Other Resources.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions, call us at 586-469-5236, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or E-mail us now.

 

Other Resources

Michigan Department of Community Health

http://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,1607,7-186-25805-75950---,00.html

National WNV Data - Center for Disease Control

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm