IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — The Ionia County Health Department reported on Thursday that the county has its first human case of West Nile Virus this year.

West Nile virus poses the greatest threat to residents 50 years and older, though the disease can be serious for anyone who contracts it, according to the health department.

The virus is transmitted primarily through bites by Culex mosquitoes, which are found throughout Michigan.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many people infected with West Nile Virus experience no symptoms at all, while others may develop mild, flu-like symptoms. 

However, in some cases, the virus can cause serious neurological damage and can be fatal.

Since there is no vaccine, medications, or treatments to prevent West Nile Virus, the health department shared the following tips to protect yourself and your family:

• Use insect repellent when outdoors. Look for EPA-labeled products containing active ingredients such as DEET. Reapply as needed according to label directions.
• Wear long sleeves and pants to limit skin exposure.
• Avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito activity, between dusk and dawn.
• Fix or install window and door screens.
• Empty standing water from mosquito breeding sites around the home such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or other similar sites.
• Use nets and/or fans over outdoor seating areas.

For more tips on preventing West Nile Virus, you can visit cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/prevention.