ALLEGAN, Mich. - A resident from Allegan County died from West Nile virus, the Allegan County Health Department announced on Tuesday.
The health department is reminding residents that West Nile will continue to be a risk until West Michigan has temperatures that are below freezing.
On Sept. 17, it was reported that another Allegan County resident was infected with Eastern equine encephalitis, one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
West Nile virus has been an ongoing issue in West Michigan, and in Kent County there have been 11 reported cases. Compounding that, the area has also seen an increase in mosquito populations in the month of September.
In 2018, four Michigan residents have died from West Nile. They were from Kent, Wayne, Oakland and now, Allegan Counties.
The state's health department reminds residents to take preventative measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
- Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA- approved product to exposed skin or clothing, always following the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
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