KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A person in Kalamazoo County has been diagnosed with West Nile virus, the county’s first case of 2025.

It is the 18th human case in the state, to go with 51 diagnosed cases in animals. West Nile virus is commonly spread through mosquito bites. The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department first found West Nile activity in mosquitoes early last month.

“We strongly encourage residents to take precautions such as using insect repellent with DEET and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during the peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn,” Kalamazoo County Interim Health Officer Deb Lenz said in a Monday news release.

West Nile infections have risen steadily over recent years in Michigan. MDHHS reported 31 cases of W

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