6/23/2022 Press Release: First mosquito-borne virus of 2022 detected in Michigan mosquitoes Residents urged to protect against mosquito bites
4/22/2022 Press Release: Vector Borne Surveillance and Protection in Van Buren and Cass County Protect against ticks and mosquitoes
Warm weather is here and so are biting insects. Residents are urged to use insect repellent, take other precautions outdoors.
Mosquito Bites: Everyone is at Risk!
Residents can stay healthy by following steps to avoid mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside. Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
Mosquito Control Advice
See the Weekly Arbovirus* Summary 2022 for updated activity, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Michigan.
* Arboviruses are viruses transmitted by mosquitoes or other insects.
For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
On behalf of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is conducting a mosquito trapping program for species surveillance.
This program is designed to monitor what level of threat Michigan may face in regards to the Zika Virus and other mosquito transmitted diseases.
—PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB—
Mosquito Bite Prevention
Not all mosquitoes are the same. Different mosquitoes spread different viruses and bite at different times of the day.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites!
Learn more by clicking on the following links:
West Nile Virus
Get the Facts about West Nile Virus
Visit the Emerging Diseases West Nile virus page at www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus for more information.
See the CDC website for additional WNV information
See the Weekly Arbovirus* Summary 2021 for updated activity, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Michigan.
* Arboviruses are viruses transmitted by mosquitoes or other insects.
Report a sick or dead bird here: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Zika Virus
EEE - Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches. Symptoms of California encephalitis virus include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and lethargy. Residents are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing these symptoms and have been exposed to mosquitoes.
For general health information related to EEE, visit: www.cdc.gov/EEE
Ticks Season is Here
VBCDHD a
long with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging all Michigan Residents to protect themselves from ticks.
> Wear Repellent (with DEET)
> Check for Ticks Daily
> Shower soon after being outdoors
> Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash.
If you do find a tick attached to your skin, there's no need to panic! Click here to learn How to Remove a Tick.
Click here to Learn more about Tick Bite and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention.
Stop Ticks to Avoid Lyme Disease and Other Tickborne Diseases
Ticks and Your Health - Preventing tick-borne illness in Michigan
Lyme Disease
Before gardening, camping, hiking, or just playing outdoors, make preventing tick bites part of your plans.
Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, an estimated 476,000 infections are diagnosed and treated each year. If you camp, hike, work, or play in wooded or grassy places, you could be bitten by an infected tick.
Prevent Lyme Disease
More than 300 cases of Lyme disease reported in Michigan in 2017. Click here to Learn more about Ticks and Lyme Disease.
For Providers: Mosquito & Tick-borne Disease Testing
Warm weather is here and so are biting insects. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories offers comprehensive testing on clinical specimens for a number of mosquito and tick-borne diseases of concern in Michigan. The attached Information Sheet provides details of the assays available at no cost to Michigan healthcare providers for their patients.
Click here for the Information Sheet: Mosquito & Tick -borne Disease Testing