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A mosquito in Wayne County has tested positive for the West Nile virus, health officials said Wednesday, the first positive sample in the county and the 13th in Michigan so far this season.
The infected insect was collected in Out-Wayne County, meaning a community other than Detroit, according to county officials. West Nile has also been detected in mosquitoes in Bay, Kent, Midland, Ottawa and St. Clair counties so far this season.
"Finding West Nile Virus in mosquitoes is expected during mosquito season, but it is a reminder that the virus is active in our area and that preventing mosquito bites is the best way to protect yourself," Wayne County Chief Medical Health Officer Avani Sheth said in a statement.
Most people infected with West Nile don't develop symptoms but about 20% experience an array of health issues including fever, head and body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Symptoms develop two to 14 days after the patient is bitten.
Older people, individuals with weakened immune systems or with chronic illness can suffer from potentially deadly issues such as meningitis or brain infection. Anyone who develops symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito should contact their health care provider, health experts advised.
The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be transmitted from person to person, officials said.
There is no dedicated treatment for West Nile virus and no vaccine to prevent infection. Officials offered the following tips to prevent mosquito bites, in order to decrease risk of contracting West Nile virus:
- When spending time outdoors where mosquitoes may be present, use an insect repellent that has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including products with DEET.
- Limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, which is when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors or otherwise avoid having exposed skin. Apply repellent to clothing.
- Regularly eliminate any standing water, which is where mosquitoes generally breed. Sources of standing water might include tires, buckets, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers.
- Keep windows and door screens in working order to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
How many people have West Nile virus?
In Michigan, West Nile virus activity typically peaks in late August and early September, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been no confirmed cases among humans so far this summer in the state.
However, the disease has been detected in five animals across Michigan, including four birds in Bay, Charlevoix and Menominee counties, as well as a squirrel in Delta County.
Nationwide, 91 people have tested positive for West Nile virus in 2026, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Mexico leads the nation with 55 cases, or about 60% of the entire U.S. caseload.
Last year, 2,146 people in the U.S. tested positive for West Nile Virus, including 49 cases in Michigan, according to the CDC. There were 172 deaths from the illness nationwide.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: West Nile virus detected in mosquito in Metro Detroit county
