Probable Human West Nile Case Reported In Mich.
Health officials say a Macomb County man who recently died has been identified as Michigan’s first probable human case of West Nile virus this year.
Michigan Department of Community Health announced Thursday that the 48-year-old died Aug. 17 after being hospitalized with West Nile symptoms. Test results to confirm West Nile are pending.
“Typically people above 55 are considered more susceptible to it,” said Macomb County Health Department Spokesman Gary White.
White stressed that the death was an isolated incident and there is no outbreak of the virus.
“It’s more common typically towards the end of the summer, such as we’re in right now,” White said.
The state had 11 confirmed human cases in 2010, including three deaths.
The agency also says testing detected West Nile virus in a crow that was found dead Aug. 16 in Saginaw County. Mosquito pools from Saginaw County collected this month tested positive and preliminary results indicate infected mosquitoes in Bay County.
Mosquitoes transmit the virus. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito show no symptoms but some become sick.
Health officials said residents can help protect themselves by removing standing water and using a repellent that has deet in it.
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