First Person In West Michigan Infected By West Nile Virus

The Kent County Health Department has confirmed its first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the year.

The case was reported on Wednesday September 11, 2024, by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD), following the detection of the virus in local mosquito populations.

A resident living near the northwest side of Grand Rapids was hospitalized after exhibiting symptoms consistent with WNV, which is typically transmitted through mosquito bites.

The KCHD had previously identified West Nile Virus in a batch of mosquitoes collected from a trap in the same area on August 21.

This finding indicates that the virus is actively circulating in the local mosquito population, heightening the risk to residents.

Brendan Earl, a Supervising Sanitarian at the KCHD, emphasized the importance of preventive measures, urging residents to remain vigilant against mosquito bites.

Symptoms of WNV can range from mild flu-like signs to severe neurological issues, with approximately 80% of infected individuals showing no symptoms at all.

The health department has advised the public to take precautions, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.

This case represents the eighth confirmed human infection of WNV in Michigan this summer, with other cases reported in counties including Berrien, Delta, and Wayne.

With no vaccine available, public health officials stress that prevention is the best strategy to combat this mosquito-borne illness.