West Nile Virus Claims Michigander, First Time in More Than a Decade
An 81-year old woman died from complications due to West Nile virus, the first death in Michigan since 2003.
Oakland County is confirming the state’s first West Nile virus-related death this year. An 81-year old woman died due to complications from the virus. It’s Michigan’s first West Nile-related death since 2003. George Miller is the Director of Oakland County’s Department of Health and Human Services. He says a crow and a mosquito pool in the area tested positive for West Nile virus earlier this month.
“There’s a bird that carries the illness, and the mosquito then draws its food from the bird, and then passes that infection onto a human when they bite a human, and for those severe cases, it can turn into encephalitis and meningitis which affect the brain.”
George Miller, Director of Oakland County’s Department of Health and Human Services
Miller says mild cases of West Nile virus may result in flu-like symptoms. He says populations such as senior citizens and the immune-compromised are more at risk.
