Posted by – Shawn Keenan, Assistant City Planner

We all like to get out and enjoy the warm summertime weather – but warm weather brings those pesky little mosquitos.  This is the time of year we want to protect ourselves from the West Nile Virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Oakland County Health Department officials confirmed that one of their mosquito test pools tested positive for the virus earlier this month.  With that in mind, there’s no better time to remind everyone about the precautionary measures that reduce your risk of getting WNV and other diseases that mosquitos carry.  Just follow a few simple steps:

• Use insect repellent in accordance to the manufactures recommendation
• Eliminate standing water that collects in birdbaths, boats, buckets, tires, unused pools, roof gutters and other containers
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants
• Limit outdoor activity primarily between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
• Avoid areas where mosquitoes may be present (i.e. shaded and wooded areas)
• Maintain window and door screening to keep mosquitoes out of buildings
• Following these simple steps should help everyone enjoy their summertime experiences

For more information on West Nile Virus please visit the Oakland County Health Department’s website.