DETROIT — An Oakland County resident may have contracted West Nile virus, health officials said Thursday.

They said they identified a probable human case of the disease in Oakland County.

"This is the county’s first probable case this year," the Oakland County Health Division said in a statement. "No further information is available about the patient because of health privacy laws."

Seven cases of mosquito-borne diseases have been detected in Michigan residents so far this year, according to authorities. Six of the cases were West Nile virus, and one was Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Mosquitoes pick up the virus from biting infected birds and then spread it to humans through their bite. Most people who get infected have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches.

However, the virus can cause inflammation and swelling of the brain in some people. Those over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a zootonic disease transmitted to both animals and people through mosquito bites. Cases are typically seen in late summer through early fall each year in Michigan.

Signs of infection include a sudden fever, chills, and body and joint aches that can progress to severe encephalitis, resulting in a headache, disorientation, seizures, tremors, and paralysis. Survivors can be left with neurological problems, including brain damage. Those under the age of 15 and over the age of 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection.

Last month, officials said West Nile virus was found in a Wayne County resident, the first human case this year in Metro Detroit and the second case in the state.

Last week, state officials said Michigan's first animal case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis this year was detected in an under-vaccinated one-year-old Quarter Horse colt in Clare County. They also said the disease was detected in a Roscommon County resident, the first human case in Michigan since 2021.

"This is an important reminder that West Nile virus and other similar diseases are present in the Fall," Kate Guzman, health officer for Oakland County Health Division, said in a statement. "We strongly encourage residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes until the first hard frost of the year."

Oakland County officials urge the public, especially older adults, to protect themselves from mosquito bites by:

— Using an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, such as DEET;

— Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active;

— Limiting time spent outdoors with exposed skin;

— Regularly emptying standing water to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites;

— And installing and maintaining windows and screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

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