With his sandals off and his backpack propped like a pillow under his head near the Red Cedar River Monday evening, Dan Peltier risked a West Nile infection.
It was nearing dusk, and the humidity and slow-moving bend of the river made it a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry the disease.
But Peltier was more preoccupied with finishing Frankenstein for an English class.
"The bugs aren't that bad," the microbiology senior said. "I was more concerned about it last year."
This summer marks the third year the West Nile virus has been a concern in Michigan.
As of Aug. 20, there were 715 reported human cases of West Nile nationwide; 14 of those were fatal.
There have been a few instances of dead crows in Michigan carrying the disease but no human cases.
"We're still asking that people take precautions and minimize their exposure to mosquitoes," said Geralyn Lasher, Michigan Department of Community Health spokeswoman.
Last year, Michigan was one of the top states in the nation for West Nile cases with almost 600 human cases and 51 deaths.
Ingham County had eight cases last season, but there were no deaths.
Most cases this year have been in Colorado and surrounding states.
University Physician, Dr. Beth Alexander, said Michigan might be safer this year due to herd immunity, which occurs when enough people have been infected by a virus that it stops spreading.
"Many people didn't even know they were exposed or had it," Alexander said. "It's a mild disease in many people."
Eighty percent of those infected have no physical symptoms.
Still, MSU visitor Cristina Borraccini tries not to take chances.
Although she stood outwardly unconcerned, feeding ducks by the Red Cedar with her friends, she admitted she had used a pesticide.
"I sprayed a couple of times because my mom told me to," the visiting Chicagoan said.
Spraying chemicals on stagnant water has helped, since pools of water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, Lasher said.
In addition, health officials say educating people about West Nile can help control it.
"Last year there was more hype - people didn't know about it," Peltier said. "If I get it, I'm not going to be afraid because I know enough about it."
