LANSING (WWJ) — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting the state’s first case of West Nile virus in a domestic animal in 2024.
A three-year-old Percheron colt from Eaton County, that was unvaccinated against the disease, tested positive in July; MDARD said.
"On July 21, 2024, the horse became ill with a lack of coordination, facial muscle twitches, and being down with an inability to rise. Subsequent testing revealed the animal was positive for West Nile Virus," State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a release. "The key to protecting any domestic animal species from West Nile virus or other mosquito-borne diseases is to safeguard them from mosquitoes and work with your veterinarian to vaccinate as appropriate.”
Mosquitos can transmit the disease to people and other animals, especially horses. However, it tends to mostly circulate among birds and mosquitos, health officials said.
Horses cannot spread West Nile virus or other mosquito born diseases to other horses or humans, according to MDARD.
It’s usually seen in Michigan every summer through early fall.
In Michigan in 2024; West Nile virus has been detected in 49 mosquito pools, and 19 wild birds, across Macomb, Monroe and Oakland counties. Health officials confirmed a human case in a Livingston County resident in July.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), another mosquito born disease, was detected in a horse in West Michigan’s Van Buren County.
To prevent the spread of West Nile Virus and other similar diseases, MDARD recommends:
-Talking to a veterinarian about the diseases
-Eliminating standing water i.e. fill in puddles, repair eaves and change water in buckets and bowls at least once a day
-Place livestock in a barn under fans (mosquitos aren’t strong flyers) and keep pets inside during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn
-Use an insect repellant on animals approved for their species
-Contact a vet if your animal(s) shows signs of illness. If they’re suspected of West Nile virus or EEE, funding is available under an arbovirus grant to cover these testing costs. You can call MDARD at 800-292-3939 for more details.
According to MDARD, Michigan residents can stay healthy by using these safety precautions:
-Apply insect repellants that contain active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothes. ALWAYS follow the manufacturer’s directions.
-Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
-Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites
-Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside
-Empty water for mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other containers that hold water where mosquitos can lay eggs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eight out of 10 people with West Nile virus don’t develop symptoms. If symptoms appear, they can include headache, body ache, joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea, or a rash. Most recover completely, but fatigue can last for weeks or months.
About one in 150 people with the virus develop severe illness of encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or meningitis (swelling of the membranes around the brain), with symptoms including high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. More information here.
According to the CDC, people over the age of 60 are at greatest risk for severe illness. Even among those who get severely ill, about 90% recover, although some have permanent effects.
For more information about West Nile virus, please visit www.Michigan.gov/WNV .
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