GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kent County Health Department says a mosquito found in a testing pool has tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus.
JCV is one of several diseases that can be spread from mosquitoes to humans that health department officials routinely watch for each summer. This case was found in a pool in the 49504 zip code, which covers part of northwest Grand Rapids and the southeast edge of Walker.
Typically, a person infected with JCV will experience a fever, headache and fatigue. In rare instances, the disease can cause serious health problems, including encephalitis and meningitis, which can be deadly.
There are no vaccines or medications to treat or prevent JCV, which is why health experts recommend people take the proper precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
The KCHD recommends several preventative measures, including:
- Wearing mosquito repellent that contains between 10% to 35% DEET
- Wearing light-colored and long-sleeved shirts and pants
- Staying indoors during dusk
- Removing or refreshing water in bird baths, wading pools and any other standing water
- Ensuring window screens are properly sealed.
The latest data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, released on Friday, shows five cases of mosquito-borne infections in animals and 17 positive tests in mosquitoes from testing pools.
All five animal cases have been found in birds. All five are infected with West Nile virus, and have been found in Delta, Luce, Marquette, Mason and Saginaw counties.
Seven mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus, including three in Kent and Bay counties and one in St. Clair County.
Ten mosquitoes have tested positive for JCV, including four in Saginaw County, three in bay County, and one each in Calhoun, Dickinson and Kent counties.
So far this summer, there have been no confirmed human infections with mosquito-borne viruses.