An "unusually high" number of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus have been collected in Kent County.

According to Wood TV 8,

Kent County Health Department Officer Adam London says of the eight pools of 50 mosquitoes sent to labs this year, 26 percent of Culex mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus.  “I’ve been working with West Nile virus in Michigan for over 15 years and in that time…  I don’t recall a year where we had surveillance data that was more concerning than what we have right now. So, I’m very concerned that people will get hurt this year if they don’t follow the precautionary measures that we recommend,” said London.

The scary thing is that there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat the West Nile Virus in people according to the CDC.

The Kent County Health Department provides the following guidelines for prevention:

  • Wear a mosquito repellant that contains 10 percent to 35 percent DEET.
  • Stay indoors during dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Remove standing water in your yard, which can be a mosquito breeding ground.
  • Keep your lawn and shrubs cut.
  • Wear light-colored clothing

You can find more in-depth prevention details at CDC.gov by clicking here.

 


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