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Wayne County resident dies of West Nile; 8 human cases statewide

The other cases involve a resident of Kent County, a resident of Oakland County and five residents of Wayne County. All but one have been hospitalized with neurologic disease.
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A resident of Wayne County died of complications from West Nile virus, one of eight human cases so far this year, state health officials confirmed today.

Health officials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquitoes, which carry the blood-borne illness.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness, so take extra care during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are dusk and dawn for the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

"Mosquito bite protection should continue until the weather significantly cools.”

The other cases involve a resident of Kent County, a resident of Oakland County and five residents of Wayne County. All but one have been hospitalized with neurologic disease, officials said.

In addition, three Michigan blood donors have tested positive for the virus, which appears to be statewide. No other information was released by the state regarding the human cases.

That compares to 40 total cases in 2017, including one death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

So far, 66 birds have tested positive for West Nile from 21 of Michigan’s 83 counties. In addition, 74 West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools have been detected in eight Michigan counties.

Surveillance for mosquito-borne diseases is being conducted by several agencies, including the MDHHS, the Departments of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and local health departments.

Most people who contract the virus will not develop symptoms, but some become sick three to 15 days after exposure. About 20 percent of infected persons develop mild illness with fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

About one in 150 infected will become severely ill, with symptoms associated with encephalitis or meningitis, and may include: stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis.

How to stay safe

  • Health officials recommend the following steps to avoid the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases:
  • Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
  • Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
  • Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA approved product to exposed skin or clothing, and always following 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.

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