DHD4 Medical Director Dr. Josh Meyerson

ROGERS CITY — Dr. Joshua Meyerson, District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4) medical director, took time at Tuesday’s health board meeting to acknowledge the risks of West Nile virus in Northeast Michigan.

Meyerson explained that though West Nile is present in the northern Lower Peninsula, there are not as many cases because there are fewer people. However, as of Tuesday’s meeting, there have been two confirmed cases of West Nile in humans in Emmett County in Northwest Michigan.

According to Meyerson, communities tend to see higher rates of West Nile at the end of summer and into the fall.

“Until we start getting those good frosts that decrease our mosquito activity,” Meyerson told the board.

According to Meyerson, most people who get infected don’t know they have it and don’t show symptoms. He added that 20% of West Nile infected individuals will experience fever, headache, body aches, and joint pains.

Meyerson explained that some individuals may develop a rash or swollen lymph nodes and may experience fatigue for several weeks.

Meyerson stated that most individuals will recover without even seeing a doctor.

However, he noted that about one in 150 individuals, about 1%, will develop encephalitis or meningitis.

“They can become comatose and get very, very sick and encephalopathic … that’s diagnosed through spinal taps and brain scans,” Meyerson said. He added that recovery from this stage of the illness can last up to several weeks.

While he said that permanent complications from West Nile are possible, he also said that death from the virus is “pretty rare.”

“It’s about 10% of that one in 150, so it’s about one in 1500 people infected,” Meyerson added.

Meyerson clarified that there is no vaccine for West Nile, nor are there medications to treat the virus. He said that the only strategy for prevention is to avoid insect bites.

“Having screens on your windows and doors to reduce mosquito population around your house and using insect repellants when you’re out during dusk and dawn,” Meyerson said.

In general, Meyerson explained that West Nile is a “bigger risk for older people,” specifically members of the population who are over 60.

Older individuals are “much more likely,” according to Meyerson, to develop “neuroinvasive” and “neurologic disease.”

“As you get older, the risk gets higher,” Meyerson added.

According to the CDC, every state in the United States has reported cases of West Nile. The CDC also explains that those who have certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer) or have a weakened immune system, are also at a higher risk for complications from the West Nile virus.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.