MIDLAND, MI (WNEM) -
Five crows and four mosquito samples collected in Midland over the last week have tested positive for West Nile Virus, indicating a recent rise in virus activity.
Most of the positive collections were from the northeast areas of the city of Midland. Midland County Mosquito Controls said the level of activity seen in Midland County this summer is higher than any year since 2006.
No human cases of West Nile Virus have been identified from Midland County but there have been seven human cases from southern Michigan to date this year.
Mosquito Control believes that the increased activity this year is related to the early spring and to July's near-record high temperatures.
"This week we will be looking particularly at catch basins and other habitat high in organic matter that may produce the Culex vectors of West Nile Virus," Control said in a statement to WNEM.com. "If you have ornamental ponds, abandoned swimming pools or other standing water on your property that cannot be rinsed out or discarded, call the Mosquito Control office at 832-8677 to have it checked for mosquito larvae."
Mosquito and disease surveillance will continue into the fall, so residents are asked to continue calling Midland County Mosquito Control to report any dead birds observed. Residents with questions about treatment schedules are encouraged to call the news hotline at 832-NEWS (832-6397) or check the Mosquito Control website at www.co.midland.mi.us/mosquito.
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