Two Michigan residents have tested positive for mosquito-borne virus

Two Michigan residents, living in Macomb and Oakland counties, have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV).

This makes them the first contractors of an arboviral-an insect born-illness identified in Michigan this year. 

JCV and other mosquito-borne viruses, including West Nile virus and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, are caused by an insect feeding from an infected animal.

 "It takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

Most people who contract JCV have no symptoms of illness, though some may become ill two to 14 days after the bite. 

Symptoms may include fever, confusion, muscle weakness and severe headaches. 

More severe complications can include neurological illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis. 

The risk of a mosquito-borne illness rises through the mosquito season, from summer until the first frost. 

The best way to prevent getting a mosquito-borne virus is to reduce the number of mosquitos around your home and to avoid getting bit. 

ABC57's Julianne Grohowski listed precautions from the St. Joseph Department of Health to stay vigilant against mosquito bites. Read them here.