Oakland County Health Officials say it is still important to protect yourself from mosquitoes until the first hard frost hits. Several states have recently reported an increase in West Nile Virus, and other serious illnesses spread by mosquitoes.
Residents can pick up free supplies, provided via a $6,000 grant, to fight the West Nile Virus (WNV) by visiting Independence Township Hall or the DPW.
Although many of the supplies were passed out during a spring clean-up in the area, the products still available include insect repellent and a 30-pack of mosquito killing packets which can be placed in spots like catch basins, storm drains and other places with shallow waters that serve as a breeding ground for the insects.
Independence Township DPW Director Linda Richardson said residents can take steps to help prevent mosquitoes by eliminating standing water on their property in places such as birdbaths, boats, tires, unused pools, roof gutters, containers and other places holding stagnant water.
‘Standing water that does not have any flow is a breeding ground for the pest,? said Richardson. WNV was first identified in Michigan in 2001, but earlier this month a bird in Oakland County tested positive for WNV.
In Early September, a Michigan man from Kent County tested positive for WNV, and is currently hospitalized. Several deaths from WNV have been reported in Texas.
Health officials across the US have reported an increase in mosquito-borne illness including Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, viruses that cause serious illness.
Oakland County Health Division Manager and Spokeswoman Kathy Forsley said Dengue Fever and Chikungunya are not a concern for the area at this time, but residents should still protect themselves against mosquitoes until the first hard frost hits the area.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using insect repellant containing the ingredients DEET and Picaridin, products with a high effectiveness repelling mosquitoes.
Forsley said to help prevent mosquito bites, protect yourself by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants. Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, so if you are a mosquito magnet try to limit outdoor activity during these periods. Avoiding shaded and wooded areas, the places mosquitoes most love to hang will also prevent bites.
Independence Township Hall is located at 6483 Waldon Road. DPW is located at 6050 Flemings Lake Road in Clarkston.