Michigan Officials Confirm First Mosquito-Borne Virus Of 2024

Brace yourself because the dreadful mosquito season is coming. Get ready to become a walking buffet for those tiny but mighty, blood-sucking creatures. And to make matters worse, health officials are urging Michiganders to take precautions after authorities have confirmed the first mosquito-borne virus of 2024.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), mosquitoes collected in Saginaw County on May 22 have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV).

JCV and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who get the virus have no symptoms of illness, but some become ill two to 14 days after the bite.

Symptoms of JCV include high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, JVC can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord, including encephalitis and meningitis.

Officials note that while the JCV is found throughout much of the United States, cases have been increasing in the Midwest. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment.

According to MDHHS, JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses, including West Nile Virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, spread when mosquitos contract the virus by biting infected birds and then biting a human.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitos are present if possible, and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”

JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021, one in 2022, and four in 2023. There were also 21 cases of West Nile Virus in 2023.

People can stay healthy by using simple ways to protect themselves and their families. The recommended steps to avoid mosquito-borne diseases include:

If you're someone who dislikes the snow and ice, then you probably have been loving this winter. Warmer temperatures have flourished throughout the U.S. But, that also means more bugs and ticks. Moreover, tick bites aren't something to take lightly. Now, health agencies across America are warning that this year's tick season is going to be extra bad.

So, why will there be more ticks this season? It's simple. A warmer winter means that the tick population didn't die off like it would have in freezing temperatures. That means there are going to be way more ticks attacking both humans and pets.

What makes ticks so dangerous? They could be carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. "The bacterium can be transmitted by the blacklegged tick, if infected," the Michigan DNR says on its website. They add that it's "the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States." Moreover, the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes that ticks can also cause Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis, Powassan Virus, STARI, Alpha-gal Syndrome and Borrelia miyamotoi disease. Not cool.

So, what exactly is a tick? It's an arthropod, like a spider. "Ticks have 8 legs, are very small, and attach to a person or animal to suck blood. In Pennsylvania, many ticks carry diseases," the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes. "Ticks can be found anywhere: outdoors in areas with long grasses and weeds, leaf piles, the woods, and even in your own yard." That said, it's important to protect yourself and avoid tick bites. That doesn't mean you have to totally avoid going outdoors. But, you need to be cautious. I love being outdoors in the warm months, and I also live near the woods. So, I'm going to be extra mindful of ticks this season. Here are some expert tips I'm following, and you should, too.

If you're going outdoors, make sure to take precautions. The Pennsylvania Department of Health suggests treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. "Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings," they state. Also, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Finally, wear light-colored clothing.

Of course, the best thing to do is to avoid any contact with ticks. So, try to avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass or fallen leaves. If you are in those areas, walk in the center of the trails. Just stay away from that tall grass at all costs.

When you get inside, check your clothing for tickets. Remove any tickets that you find. Also, "Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors," according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They also suggest to examine gear and pets, shower soon after being outdoors and check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Finally, shower as soon as you come indoors.

When you come indoors, do that full body check for ticks. They tend to hide under the arms; in and around the ears; inside belly button; back of the knees; in and around the hair; between the legs; and around the waist. That's according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Take it seriously if you get a tick bite. "If you develop a rash or fever within a month of removing a tick, see your doctor as soon as possible," the Michigan DNR says. "Be sure to tell your doctor about your recent tick bite and when the bite occurred."

If you get a tick bite, above all, remain calm. It can be scary, but if you catch it in time, there are things that can help. That's why it's so important to do early detection and look all over your body and clothes after being outdoors. So, you don't have to say no to going out doors, but say no to ticks.