FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2005
For additional information contact:
Amy Morris, Community Relations Coordinator at (616) 632-7110
Eighth Case of West Nile Virus in Kent County
(Grand Rapids, MI)— The Kent County Health Department today confirmed the eighth case of human West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Kent County for 2005. The patient, a 51 year old female, is from zip code 49505. There have been 29 confirmed West Nile Virus case in Michigan this year.
West Nile Virus is spread by infected mosquitoes. While most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms, up to 20% may develop mild illness and one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness which can be fatal.
To prevent West Nile Virus infection, the Kent County Health Department recommends the following:
- Use insect repellent containing 10-35% DEET for adults and concentrations 10% or less for children. Always read and follow manufacturers’ label directions when applying insect repellent as most are not recommended for use on children under two years of age. When applying repellent to children, please remember to avoid spraying directly onto their face by first spraying it onto your hands and then rubbing the repellent onto the child’s face.
- Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, when mosquitoes are active.
- Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors, but especially in wooded or wetland areas.
- Make sure window and door screens are maintained in good condition to keep mosquitoes out of buildings and homes.
- Drain standing water around yards, decks, and other outdoor areas around the home. Flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets – anything that can hold standing water – is a site in which mosquitoes can lay eggs. Change water in bird baths every three to four days (twice a week).
- Avoid activities in areas where large numbers of mosquitoes are present.
The Health Department offers educational presentations on West Nile Virus. The presentations are free of charge and available to groups of 10 or more throughout the summer by calling the Health Department at (616) 632-7297.
For more information on West Nile Virus visit the Kent County Health Department’s website at www.accesskent.com/westnile.
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The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) has been in the business of providing health services to the whole of Kent County since 1931. It is made up of four divisions: Administration, Community Clinical Services, Community Nursing and Environmental Health. The Health Department is home to nearly 325 employees including public health nurses, sanitarians, health educators, technicians, public health administrators and the Kent County Animal Shelter. KCHD operates five satellite clinics located in Wyoming, Kentwood, Rockford, Sheldon Complex, and the Westside of Grand Rapids. To learn more about our services visit www.accesskent.com/health
