MICHIGAN (WKZO AM/FM) — The State of Michigan has gone from having no human cases of the West Nile Virus to eight cases and one death.
On Thursday, health officials announced that the virus was discovered in several dead birds in Kalamazoo County, but added that there were no human cases statewide, until the new lab results came in.
Single cases were discovered in Berrien, Kent, and Oakland counties, and a total of 5 cases and the one death have been confirmed in Wayne County.
Health Department Spokesperson Angela Minicuci says most people will be exposed and suffer no ill effects, but if symptoms do occur, it’s important to seek medical care because it can develop into something debilitating or even deadly.
Symptoms are similar to the typical summer flu.
It hammers home the importance of avoiding mosquito bites, especially for seniors who are more prone to disabling symptoms and even death from contracting the virus.
