Dead bird found near Detroit highway – tested positive for West Nile virus
Detroit’s health department is urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites after a dead bird found near a freeway in the city tested positive for West Nile virus.
The health department said Monday it had been notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that the hawk found near Seven Mile and the Southfield Freeway was infected with the virus. In a news release, officials noted that no human cases of the virus have been reported or confirmed in Detroit and Wayne County.
Residents are encouraged to avoid mosquito bites, as they can spread West Nile virus and other viruses. Here are some tips:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active, and use insect repellent.
- Make sure window and door screens are secured to keep mosquitoes out.
- Drain standing water from mosquito breeding grounds around the house, such as buckets, birdbaths, or other places where mosquitoes may lay their eggs.
- Use mosquito nets and/or fans when using outdoor dining areas.
Symptoms of West Nile virus can range from mild to severe and include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or a rash on the chest, abdomen, or back. West Nile virus can affect anyone, but people over 60 are more susceptible.
Last month, the MDHS confirmed the first human case of West Nile in Michigan this year. The Livingston County resident contracted the disease out of state and became ill in June, the department said.
The human case was confirmed after the virus was detected in Macomb County, just two counties away, in a mosquito sample collected on July 11. More than a dozen mosquito swarms in Bay, Kent, Ottawa, Saginaw and St. Clair counties have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Anyone who believes they may have been infected with the virus is asked to contact their doctor immediately.
For more information on the virus, visit the MDHHS website. Residents who need to report a deceased animal that they believe may have been infected with West Nile virus are directed to contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) using the following link: Eyes in the Field Reporting Center. Click here for more information on insect repellents.
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