GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Kent County Health Department says they have found the first positive signs of West Nile virus in a mosquito for 2016.
The infected mosquitoes were found in the 49506 zip code, which includes part of southeast Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids. Officials are emphasizing that the virus has only been found in mosquitoes and not in any people so far this summer in Kent County.
The health department started capturing and testing mosquitoes in June throughout the county. The testing takes place with a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
According to Adam London, the Administrative Health Officer with the department, West Nile virus will likely be found in other Kent County zip codes as well, and “the risk remains until at least the first frost of the season.”
The City of Grand Rapids started treating specific areas Tuesday with larvicide pellets.
