Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2021

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

MDHHS releases “Tobacco-Free Report Card” for Michigan colleges and universities

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Tobacco Section released the “Tobacco-Free Report Card: Michigan Colleges and Universities,” which reports on the current state of tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies in Michigan.

“MDHHS applauds the schools with 100% tobacco-free campuses and encourages all campuses to go 100% tobacco-free,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disability in Michigan, and at least 99% of cigarette smokers start before the age of 26. In Michigan, adult e-cigarette use is highest among young adults. Tobacco-free policies on college and university campuses are an effective strategy to prevent young adults from using tobacco and help current users quit.”

Currently, one in three campuses have a 100% tobacco-free campus policy. The report also includes a list of Michigan colleges and universities, and the grade or score they received as a result of their current tobacco policy with the detailed scoring methodology explained. The report card includes information on tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco-free smoke policies and information on how to receive technical assistance to improve your smoke-free policies.

“We are encouraging Michigan colleges and universities to use this report card as a tool to improve the health of their students, faculty, and staff. These policies aim to change social norms, prevent initiation, decrease secondhand smoke and aerosol, and encourage quitting,” says Amanda Gallaher, author of the Tobacco-Free Report Card.

The MDHHS Tobacco Section offers training and technical assistance to support tobacco-free and smoke-free campus policies. To request a training or other technical assistance, contact the MDHHS Tobacco Section at 517-335-8376 and visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco to learn more about tobacco prevention and cessation resources in Michigan.

There are grant opportunities available to colleges that are not currently 100% tobacco-free to support the adoption and implementation of tobacco-free policies.

For residents in need of assistance in quitting tobacco, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline – 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about the Quitline, visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2022

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

First 2022 detection of West Nile Virus in Oakland County resident

Michiganders urged to take proper precautions to prevent mosquito bites

LANSING, Mich. — West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a blood donation from a resident of Oakland County. The donor has experienced no symptoms of illness. Michigan residents are reminded that the best way to protect against WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses such Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) is to prevent mosquito bites.

Routine screening for WNV in blood donations helps ensure the safety of the blood supply in Michigan and in the U.S. Donations that test positive for WNV do not enter the blood supply. In 2021, WNV was detected in seven Michigan blood donors.

“We want to remind residents of Michigan that mosquito season is not over and it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Take precautions such as using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active.”

To date, WNV has been found in mosquitoes collected in Iosco, Arenac, Huron, Genesee and Kent counties, as well as birds collected in Bay and Shiawassee counties.  No other human cases have been reported to date. Mosquito pools from Bay, Midland and Saginaw have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season – peaking in August and September.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people who contract the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of arbovirus infection, like WNV, typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and a severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:

• Using EPA registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone; follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed.
• Don’t use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
• Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
• Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/WestNileVirus or CDC.gov/WestNile.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 8, 2022

MDHHS CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDARD CONTACT: Chelsea Lewis-Parisio, 517-331-1151, [email protected]
EGLE CONTACT: Jeff Johnston, 517-231-9304, [email protected]  

New tool available to track harmful algal bloom reports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are reminding Michiganders to be aware of the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water. To help the public know where HABs have been reported, a new Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports map is now available online at Michigan.gov/HABsMap.

HABs form due to a rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers and ponds. Toxins found in cyanobacteria (cyanotoxins) that can be found in blooms can be harmful to people and animals.

“The new Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports map is an exciting tool to increase awareness of HABs and to help prevent related illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “If you may have had contact with or swallowed water with a HAB and feel sick, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, get emergency medical attention as soon as possible.”

To provide more information on HABs statewide, MDHHS and EGLE developed the Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports map. The map, which will be updated weekly from June to November, shows bloom reports that have been verified by EGLE and the results of any cyanotoxin tests.

Not all HABs in Michigan are reported to EGLE and some may not be included on the map. HABs can move around, disappear and reappear – meaning that HABs may be present in waterbodies, but not present on the map. Before going in any water, MDHHS recommends that you always look for and keep away from visible HABs or scums and that people and pets stay out of water in affected areas.

The occurrence of cyanobacteria and their toxins typically takes place in the summer and fall and has been confirmed in lakes across Michigan in previous years. In 2021, 79 harmful algal blooms in 43 counties were reported to EGLE.

HABs look like water that has algal scums or mats, which looks like spilled paint or pea soup or has colored streaks on the surface. Visit the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs, as well as other algae and plants mistaken for HABs. HABs usually occur from May through October, with most occurring in August and September. HABs can last for days or weeks and change in size, location and toxicity.

Breathing in or swallowing water with HAB toxins may cause illness, such as runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches or dizziness. Skin contact may cause rashes, blisters or hives.

What should people do if they think they have found a HAB?

If people think they have found a HAB or have any suspicion of a HAB:

• Do not let people, pets or livestock in the water or near the shore in affected areas.
• Always rinse off people and pets after contact with any lake water.
• If there is a posted HAB advisory or closing, follow its instructions.
• You can still use unaffected areas of a lake unless a bloom covers most of the lake.
• Report suspected HABs to EGLE by e-mailing [email protected] with pictures of the suspected HAB. Reports can also be received via phone at 800-662-9278.

HABs and animal health

Animals, especially dogs, can become ill or die after contact with HABs. Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggering and seizures. To prevent illness in dogs, keep them out of areas with scums or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. If a pet or livestock animal become sick after contact with a suspected HAB, call a veterinarian right away.

Animal illness due to HABs is reportable to MDARD. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form (found at Michigan.gov/dvmresources under ‘Reportable Diseases’) or call 800-292-3939.

How to help prevent HABs

To reduce and prevent HABs, Michiganders should learn about pollution from excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Excess nutrients may come from fertilizers, detergents, sewers and failed septic systems.

To decrease nutrients going into water:

• Use phosphate-free detergents.
• Dispose of pet waste properly.
• Apply fertilizer only when necessary, at the recommended amount. A buffer should be left when applying fertilizer near a lake or stream.
• Promote the use of natural shoreline, including growing native vegetation along the water’s edge.
• Join with a local organization or residents to develop or update a watershed management plan, which identifies pollutants causing water quality problems, sources of those pollutants and recommendations to reduce pollutant inputs.

Contacts for HAB questions

• The new Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports map can be found at Michigan.gov/HABsMap.
• Visit Michigan.gov/HABs for more information on HABs.
• For more information on HABs and your health, call MDHHS at 800-648-6942.
• For more information on HABs and pets or livestock, call MDARD at 800-292-3939.
• For more information on HABs and the environment, call EGLE at 800-662-9278.