October 18, 2002

The Michigan Department of Community Health today announced 10 new cases of West Nile virus disease in humans, for total of 455 probable and confirmed cases in Michigan.  With two additional deaths, the total number of deaths in Michigan associated with West Nile virus disease is now 33.  The newly reported deaths include:
· A previously reported case of West Nile virus in an 87 year-old female from Oakland County.
· A previously reported case of West Nile virus in a 74 year-old female from Ottawa County.

Individuals with fever and signs of encephalitis and/or meningitis should be tested for West Nile virus.  Symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain linings) include severe headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis.  Physicians are also urged to test patients for West Nile virus if they present with sudden, painless paralysis in the absence of stroke.

Case information can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdch and by clicking on “West Nile virus.”  The cases are as follows:
· Allegan has its first case for a total of 1 case
· Barry has its first case for a total of 1 case
· Ingham County has 1 new case for a total of 7 cases.
· Kent County has 2 new cases for a total of 50 cases. 
· Macomb County has 1 new case and 1 reported case in Wayne County has been determined to be in Macomb County, for a total of 68 cases. 
· Oakland County has 1 new case for a total of 151 cases.
· Ottawa County has 6 previously reported cases and 2 previously reported cases in Kent County have been determined to be in Ottawa County, for a total of 8 cases.
· Wayne County has 3 new cases for a total of 149 cases.
· Kalamazoo County has 3 previously reported cases
· Lenawee County has 2 previously reported cases.
· Newaygo County has 2 previously reported cases.
· St. Clair County has 2 previously reported cases.
· Van Buren County has 3 previously reported cases.
· Arenac, Bay, Cass, Eaton, Muskegon, Otsego, Saginaw and Sanilac Counties all have 1 previously reported case. 

West Nile virus has been detected in birds in 72 counties and in 307 horses in Michigan. 

Editor’s Note:  The Michigan Department of Community Health is not planning to issue further press releases on human cases of West Nile virus in Michigan this season.  The Department will update its website that can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mdch and by clicking on “West Nile virus” with laboratory results twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday.  Reporters are encouraged to utilize this website for the most current case information available.