The virus was discovered in a mosquito testing pool during ongoing surveillance conducted by the Kent County Health Department in the 49504 ZIP code.
Jamestown Canyon virus can be spread to people by infected mosquitoes. Most cases occur from April through September.
Common symptoms of Jamestown Canyon virus include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases, the virus can cause severe disease including the brain infection known as encephalitis or infection of the lining around the brain, known as meningitis.
There are no vaccines or medications to prevent Jamestown Canyon virus, so the Kent County Health Department recommends reducing your risk of infection by avoiding mosquito bites. Wear insect repellent as well as light colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants, stay indoors during dusk, and empty any containers of standing water that are sitting outside your home, which can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, was discovered locally at the end of June, which is six weeks earlier than it usually appears.
