MARQUETTE, MI— The West Nile Virus has been found in Marquette County.
Officials with the Marquette County Health Department were notified Monday that two area hawks tested positive for the virus. That’s a strong indication the virus is carried by mosquitoes throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes a skin rash and/or swollen glands. In some cases, the virus can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.
Residents are urged to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellant, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, and using nets or fans around outdoor eating areas.
