Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

September 14, 2012

Insect-borne illness risk on the rise

By LAUREN GENTILE Special to the Record-Eagle

LANSING — The risk for insect-borne illness is still on the rise in northern Michigan, despite the drop in temperatures.

The highest risk for contracting an insect-borne illness like West Nile or Eastern equine encephalitis occurs between August and early October, Michigan Department of Community Health officials said.

"We don't see a rise in cases of West Nile until mid-August and this year is up from last year a lot," said Angela Minicuci, Community Health spokeswoman.

West Nile is spread by a mosquito species that easily reproduces in a warm, dry climate. With the little rain Michigan has had over the summer, the population of these mosquitoes has risen, said Minicuci.

More than 115 cases and at least six deaths have been confirmed so far this year. In 2011, there were 34 confirmed cases of West Nile.

"These numbers are the highest they have been since West Nile was reported in 2002 for the first time in Michigan," Minicuci said.

With most of this year's cases in the southern Lower Peninsula, residents further north seem to have a false sense of security, said Thomas Buss, environmental health manager for the Grand Traverse County Health Department.

"We are telling everyone to take precautions. Just because we have not had a case yet doesn't mean that will not change," Buss said.

The case closest to Traverse City has been in Mason County.

Minicuci works with local health departments to give the public "precautionary tips" to prevent West Nile.

"People need to empty any standing water in bird baths or gutters. This just creates a breeding ground. Second, check and make sure window screens do not have any tears. Third, use bug repellent with DEET and lastly, avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn," she said.

Buss also recommends wearing proper clothing like long pants and sleeves outside around dawn and dusk.

The symptoms of Eastern equine encephalitis are like those of West Nile but much more severe.

With only one case reported so far in Michigan this year, Bridget Patrick, spokeswoman at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, "Michigan is on the right track."

One mosquito species and many bird species spread the disease.

"The one case we have seen so far was in a puppy in Van Buren County," Patrick said. "This puppy is a sentinel animal for us and now we can have people become more aware of Eastern equine encephalitis."

Eastern equine encephalitis was first found in Michigan in the early 1980s, is rarely found in humans and affects mostly horses, said Patrick.

"This insect-borne disease is something most residents do not even know about and it is very fatal," Patrick said. "That is why we are working hard to get the word out about all of the insect-borne diseases and to prevent their spread."

LAUREN GENTILE writes for Michigan State University's Capital News Service.

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