West Nile virus has been confirmed in six Michigan residents so far in 2025, and one person has died, according to health officials.
The six human cases have been reported in Emmet, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland and Sanilac counties, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) weekly update posted on Aug. 22.
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The Kent County resident who contracted the mosquito-borne virus died, according to an Aug. 21 announcement from the county's health department.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of this individual," said Brendan Earl, Supervising Sanitarian at KCHD. "This tragic outcome is a reminder that mosquitoes in our area are active and capable of spreading serious illness. Prevention remains our best protection."
The resident who died lived about 3,000 feet from where a mosquito sample that tested positive for the virus was collected, health officials said.
West Nile virus spreads to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitos contract the virus from feeding on infected birds.
In addition to the six human cases this year, state health officials say that 16 birds from the following counties have tested positive for the virus:
Alger (1)Bay (4)Calhoun (1)Luce (1)Marquette (1)Muskegon (1)Saginaw (5) Tuscola (1)Wayne (1)
The MDHHS also reported that 126 mosquito pools from the following counties also tested positive for West Nile virus:
Bay (21)Kalamazoo (2)Kent (25)Macomb (2)Midland (24) Oakland (1)Saginaw (28)Tuscola (7)Washtenaw (4)Wayne (12)
To see the MDHHS' latest arbovirus summary, visit here.
Symptoms of West Nile virus
Many people with West Nile virus show no symptoms, but about one in 5 people develop flu-like illnesses, including fever, headache, body aches or rashes, according to health officials.
About one in 150 people develop more severe symptoms that affect the central nervous system, which can be fatal.
Preventing West Nile virus
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus, so health officials say the best way residents can protect themselves against the virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
Residents are encouraged to:
Use EPA-registered insect repellents that include one of these active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) and 2-undecanone. Wear long sleeves and pantsAvoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are the most active.Eliminate standing water to eliminate potential breeding sites for mosquitoes.Repairing holes in screens and gutters in good repair to keep mosquitoes outside.
For more information on West Nile virus, visit here.
In addition to the confirmed West Nile virus cases, 13 mosquito pools in Bay (2), Kalamazoo (2), Macomb, Ottawa (2), Saginaw (5) and Washtenaw counties have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, another virus spread by infected mosquitoes.