Birmingham Takes Extra Precautions Against West Nile Virus

As Labor Day weekend comes to a close and families prepare to spend the last day of summer (at least before school starts) outside, there's one thing on many minds: the West Nile Virus.

However, the city of Birmingham has been working against West Nile since early spring and they're confident their measures are working.

West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause inflammation of the brain or the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and severe headaches.

Many people bitten by infected mosquitoes show no symptoms; others may become sick within three to 15 days. Children and those over the age of 50 are most at risk of exhibiting severe symptoms.

So far this year, there have been 12 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Oakland County, according to the Oakland County Health Division. Statewide, there have been 104 cases and five deaths.

In addition, Michigan Department of Public Heath public information officer Angela Minicuci said the virus has been appearing in clusters throughout Metro Detroit, notably Birmingham's neighbors of Royal Oak and Berkley.

“The first ring of older suburbs, where houses are so close together, is good breeding ground for mosquitoes,” Minicuci said.

In Birmingham, the city began taking proactive measures against West Nile as temperatures began climbing this past spring.

While the city's (DPS) has been treating catch basins and areas of standing water on public property since 2002, this year DPS began using the Natular XRT treatment, which more effictively destroys mosquito larva and prevents mosquito emergence, a statement from the DPS says.

"To date, the program has been very successful," the statement reads.

If you do find yourself worrying about West Nile, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, an infectious disease specialist for the Oakwood Health System, says residents shouldn't panic but remain vigilant.

“We have to have a high level of suspicion,” she explained. “If someone tells me that they went camping and had mosquito bites, we would test them.”

To avoid the West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses this Labor Day and while the warm weather remains this September, the Oakland County Health Divison encourages residents to take the following steps:

• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos out of buildings.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similiar sites where mosquitos lay eggs.
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or other EPA-approved repellents to exposed skin or clothing. Always following the manufacturer's directions for use.