Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

Residents urged to protect against mosquito bites as first
mosquito-borne virus of 2023 detected in Saginaw County

LANSING, Mich. – Michiganders are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites as mosquitos recently collected in Saginaw County have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL). These are the first infected mosquitos detected for any virus for 2023.

Residents are reminded that the best way to protect themselves against JCV and other mosquito-borne illnesses, including eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV), is to prevent mosquito bites.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions, such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitos are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”

Every summer in Michigan, bites from mosquitos carry the risk of spreading diseases to people and animals. While the current dry weather conditions have limited the number of biting mosquitos, spring mosquitos that emerged in early May are still active in portions of the state, especially in areas with large tracts of woodland habitat. Some of these spring mosquitos are capable of transmitting JCV. JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021 and one in 2022. Also reported last year were 12 cases of WNV.

The JCV virus is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitos. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-fall. Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite from an infected mosquito. While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.

While the JCV is found throughout much of the U.S., cases have been increasing in the Midwest. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment. This is the third year that the MDHHS BOL is offering virus testing of mosquito pools collected by local health departments and county mosquito control programs. Testing is offered to improve detection and notification of mosquito-borne viruses.

JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses, including WNV and EEE, spread when mosquitos contract the virus from biting infected birds then biting a human.

Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families. The following steps are recommended to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.

“Mosquitoes may seem like a small nuisance, but they can spread deadly diseases like West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis through their bites,” said Mike Philip, Michigan Department of Agriculture Rural Development (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management division director. “Michiganders can help limit the risk of disease outbreaks by developing a mosquito prevention strategy to reduce pest populations.”

To combat the spread of this disease in animals, owners can:  

• Talk to a veterinarian about vaccinating horses against WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Place livestock in a barn under fans (as mosquitos are not strong flyers) and pets inside the home during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
• Use an insect repellant on animals that is approved for the species.
• Eliminate standing water on the property—i.e., fill in puddles, repair eaves, and change the water in buckets and bowls at least once a day.
• Contact a veterinarian if an animal shows signs of illness.

Michiganders can also hire a mosquito control business. Mosquito control businesses are required to be licensed to apply pesticides in Michigan and must meet certain experience requirements, employ certified pesticide applicators who have passed MDARD proficiency examinations and meet financial requirements including proof of insurance. Use MDARD’s list of licensed pesticide applicator businesses in Michigan to find qualified mosquito abatement applicators.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS requesting proposals to assist
eligible residents with water affordability

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for organizations to help eligible Michiganders with water and wastewater costs.

The purpose of this program is to assist eligible residents who have a financial burden; have accumulated a balance on their water and/or wastewater utility bill; have had their water and/or wastewater service shut off; and/or are at risk of having their water and/or wastewater service shut off.

“This funding will allow communities provide critical assistance to qualified families, so they are not forced to choose between paying for water services and other necessities,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director.

Eligible expenditures from these funds must be income-based and must include all of the following:

• Restoring residential water and/or wastewater service.
• Paying down water and/or wastewater bills currently in arrears.
• Supporting reasonable water and/or wastewater affordability plans that are based on an individual’s ability to pay, including capped payments based on household income to prevent accumulating a balance on future water bills and funding to qualified providers to cover the remaining cost of service.
• Protecting participating residents from water and/or wastewater shutoffs.

Eligible applicants are community water systems; community action agencies and nonprofit, community-based organizations organized under the laws of this state that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 USC 501, with a history of doing utility assistance work.

The award begins on Oct. 1, 2023, and ends Sept. 30, 2024. MDHHS expects to award $25 million in grants. Successful applicants may be awarded funding annually through at least Sept. 30, 2027, based upon funding availability and acceptable performance. Grant applications for the Water Affordability- 2024 RFP must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. Thursday, June 29.

A pre-application conference will be held to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system. The pre-application conference will be held Tuesday, June 6, at 10 a.m., and will last approximately 90 minutes. The conference can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3N79zvS.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete RFP can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Community Action & Economic Opportunity” link and selecting the “WATER-2024” grant program.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2023

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Michiganders urged to take precautions to prevent heat-related illness as temperatures climb across the state

LANSING, Mich. – With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees in Michigan over the next several days, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging all residents to stay cool to beat the heat.

MDHHS routinely reviews emergency department (ED) data for heat-related illness. As daily temperatures rise above 80 degrees, ED visits for heat-related illness tend to increase. This is often more likely for the first high-heat event of the year as people are not as used to those kinds of temperatures and may not take the necessary precautions.

“It’s important Michiganders stay hydrated and understand the risks of excessive heat exposure during this warm weather,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Young children, older adults and those who have medical conditions are at increased risk for heat-related illness, so be sure to check frequently on them and others in your community who may need additional assistance.”

To prevent complications from the heat, residents are encouraged to:

• Drink more fluids and avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar or alcohol.
• Limit outdoor activities to when it is coolest in the morning and evening.
• Spend time indoors in air conditioning at home or in a cooling center.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
• Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects a body’s ability to cool down.
• Check on elderly neighbors and relatives to determine if they need assistance.

For those without access to air conditioning, text or call 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a cooling center nearby. You can also spend some time at an air-conditioned library, shopping mall or other public building – even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.

In addition to staying hydrated and out of the sun, residents are reminded to never leave children or pets alone in a car even with windows cracked. Temperatures inside a car can easily be double the temperature outside, and because a child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s they are more susceptible to heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are both forms of heat-related illness. Signs of heat-related illness vary but may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F) and tiredness. Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and can result in death if not treated promptly.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from heat-related illness, see the MDHHS Heat Awareness and Safety Fact Sheet, also available in Spanish, Arabic, and Bengali, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

Michigan has increased need for people to care for children as state marks Foster Care Month
From Metro Detroit to Branch County, families provide loving homes

LANSING, Mich. – It does Cheryl Harrison’s heart good when the teenage girls she fosters bond so much that they call each other “sisters.” Linda and Kelly Young hold family meetings to make sure everyone is on board before they welcome a new foster child into their home.

Michigan urgently needs more loving foster parents like Harrison, of Wayne County, and the Youngs, of Branch County, to temporarily care for children while the state works to reunify them safely with their biological parents.

“You have to always show children your strength and they will know to never give up,” said Harrison, who likes to foster teenagers because she can see the positive impact she has on both their current actions and their futures.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed May to be Foster Care Month in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during the month is recognizing foster families for their contributions while raising awareness of the need for more foster homes. There are about 10,000 children in foster care in the state. There is a particular need for families to foster older children, sibling groups and youth with special needs.

“Foster parents play a tremendously important role in our efforts to keep kids safe,” said Demetrius Starling, senior deputy director of the MDHHS Children’s Services Administration. “I appreciate the love and support that Michigan’s 4,300 licensed foster families provide to children who need temporary homes until they can be safely reunified with their parents or adopted if it’s not safe for them to return home.”

In April, the department announced its Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda, which includes more than 20 protocols and policies to improve the safety and well-being of Michigan children. Having enough loving foster homes to meet the needs of children is a key to keeping them safe.

MDHHS is addressing an increased need for foster parents due to the department’s commitment to provide family homes for children and reduce the use of congregate care settings, as well as a significant loss of foster homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrison won the Foster Family Excellence Award as part of Foster Care Month.

The Youngs this month received the Adoption Excellence Award from MDHHS. The couple have been foster parents for more than 22 years and have adopted multiple children. “We learned long ago that life is full of challenges, but we are fortunate to be able to impact these challenges in a positive way and imprint hope in kiddos’ lives,” Linda Young said.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can call a Foster Care Navigator at 855-MICHKIDS or visit www.fcnp.org. Navigators are experienced foster care parents who can answer questions and guide prospective foster parents on their journey. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/hopeforahome.

Please see attached photos of Cheryl Harrison and the Young family.