KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Local health officials say they have recorded their first case of West Nile Virus in Kalamazoo County, but there are probably more out there.
They say 80 percent of the people who become infected by mosquito bites never exhibit symptoms. The rest may suffer flu-like symptoms and may also develop a rash. Less than one percent may develop meningitis like symptoms that result in permanent disabilities or even death.
It brings the statewide total to 22 cases.
As soon as the we have a hard frost, the mosquito population will disappear and the threat will be over. In the meantime it means avoiding mosquitoes, and West Nile isn’t the only good reason to do that.
State officials say they have detected a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in an Indiana woman who is believed to have picked up that more serious virus in southwest Michigan. She was hospitalized but has since been discharged to continue her recovery at home.
