Health Officials: 10 Dead In Michigan From West Nile Virus
LANSING (WWJ) - State health officials have announced that two more people have died in Michigan from the West Nile Virus, bringing this year's total to 10.
The Michigan Department of Community Health said eight additional confirmed cases of the virus have also been reported; three in Wayne County, two in the city of Detroit, one in Macomb County and two in Kent County. That brings a total of 170 cases of West Nile in Michigan.
The two latest deaths are from previously reported cases, including a 73-year-old man in Wayne County and an 83 year-old woman from Macomb County. Their names and hometowns have not been released.
Angela Minicucim, with the MDCH, attributes this year's West Nile spike, at least in part, to the hot, dry summer that created an ideal environment for mosquitoes, which transmit the virus.
She said symptoms of West Nile include high fever, dizziness and drowsiness and can feel like the flu. Minicuci urges anyone experiencing these symptoms to see a doctor and make sure they point out any mosquito bites.
More information on West Nile including the latest from state health officials can be found at this link. Go under the 'testing tables and maps' link on the left to find an updated map and table of human cases.