People celebrating Labor Day weekend outdoors in Michigan and other states could be setting themselves up as the main course for feasting mosquitoes, including the species known to carry the West Nile virus. Cases have been reported throughout the United states in both horses and humans and on August 30, 2012, an 87 year-old woman in Michigan became its fifth fatality.
Preventing mosquito-borne diseases in horses and humans
With damp, rainy weather in many areas, ideal conditions for the growth of the mosquito population remain high increasing the West Nile threat to horses and humans.
Nationwide, one thousand eight hundred fifty human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC and it is unknown how many horses have been infected with the disease.
State health officials are working with local governments to educate residents on how to best avoid the disease after an unusually warm spring encouraged the early hatching of mosquitoes that transmit the virus.
In Michigan, at least 80 cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in humans so far this year, resulting in at least 62 hospitalizations.
With the damp, rainy weather in many areas, ideal weather conditions for the growth of the mosquito population remain high. Authorities are warning that this year the high population of mosquitoes will continue through September.
"It seems we have had ideal weather conditions for the growth of the mosquito that carries this particular virus," said Mark Valacak, Genesee County health officer. "That's why we're warning people to take precautions. Late August and September is when we see the highest population of these mosquitoes."
Engineering, public works, property maintenance, recreation and sanitation departments in many states are identifying and treating areas where stagnant and standing water can harbor mosquito larvae.
"The number one thing — whether you are in your home or out camping — is that if there is a stagnant pool of water, flush it out," said Angela Minicuci, a spokeswoman with the Michigan State Department of Community Health.
Repellants containing ingredients like DEET should be used while outdoors. People also should avoid being outside at dusk and dawn — prime mosquito feeding times, she added.