Education is key to combatting West Nile
Published 11:11 am, Monday, April 25, 2016
West Nile is here, and its here to stay.
Health officials are reporting West Nile illnesses and deaths were up in 2005. In fact, the number of West Nile cases in the state hit 62, up from 16 the previous year. The four deaths reported last year were the first since 2003 when there were two.
This upswing in cases is a departure from the trend decreasing infections and deaths. Health officials point to weather conditions which led to more infected mosquitoes in more populated areas of the state. As 2006 gets under way officials will focus on ways to better educate Michiganders about West Nile, the preventative measures they can take to avoid contracting West Nile, and what to do if they suspect infection.
Most states are dealing with West Nile and many have seen far more infections and deaths than Michigan. While there is no vaccine to keep people from getting infected, education will indeed be key as we head into the spring and summer months.
West Nile may be here to stay, but we need not make it feel too welcome.