West Nile Virus Found in Saginaw County Crow

West Nile Virus has been detected in Saginaw County for the first time this year. The Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission (SCMAC) reports the virus was confirmed in a dead crow collected in Saginaw Township earlier this week.

Officials said West Nile Virus is often detected around this time of year, and that while the risk of mosquito-borne virus infection in Saginaw County is low, residents should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Recommended strategies include the following:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.

• When outdoors wear shoes and socks, light colored long pants, and a long‐sleeved shirt.

• Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET, or other EPA‐approved products according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

• Make sure doors and windows have tight‐fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.

• Eliminate all sources of standing water around the yard that can support mosquito breeding, including water in buckets, wading pools, old tires, and any other object holding water. Contact SCMAC to report standing water in roadside ditches, flooded yards, fields, or similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

SCMAC will continue to monitor mosquito‐borne virus through the end of September. Citizens are encouraged to take appropriate measures to avoid mosquitoes and are strongly encouraged to report a recently deceased (dead) crow or blue jay by calling (989) 755‐5751 or via their website: http://saginawmosquito.com