The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Probable West Nile Death Reported; Eight Other Probable Cases
August 23, 2002
An Oakland County man who was probably infected with West Nile virus (WNV) has died, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) reported today. Eight other probable human cases of WNV have also been identified. Confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues on the first cases in Michigan, with results expected by early next week. Altogether, 13 probable cases of WNV have been identified in Michigan.
The 65-year-old man died Tuesday. The probable WNV was identified through tests conducted after his death.
"This death underscores the importance of taking basic precautions to avoid mosquito bites," said MDCH Chief Medical Executive David R. Johnson, M.D. "These are simple procedures that will minimize the risk of a mosquito bite that could result in WNV infection."
The precautions include:
· Stay indoors during the peak mosquito activity hours at dawn, dusk and early evening.
· Before you go outdoors, apply insect repellent that contains the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin or clothing, always following the manufacturer's directions for use on the label. For children between two months and two years of age, guidelines advise one daily application of a repellant with a DEET concentration of 10 percent or less. Parents of infants are encouraged to contact their pediatrician. Avoid applying repellent to a child's hands because repellents may be transferred to the eyes or mouth, potentially causing irritation or adverse health effects.
· Maintain window and door screening to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
· Drain standing water in the yard. Empty water from mosquito breeding sites, such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans and similar sites in which mosquitoes can lay eggs.
· When outdoors, wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
The other eight probable cases include six more in Oakland County, one in Wayne and one in Cass. Of the six Oakland County cases, three remain hospitalized. They include:
· An 85-year-old man who is in serious condition
· A 74-year-old man who is in serious condition but is stable
· A 38-year-old woman who is in good condition
The other three Oakland County patients have been released from the hospital and are doing well. They include a 38-year-old man and two 62-year-old women.
The Wayne County patient, an 80-year-old man, is stable. The Cass County patient is a 37-year-old man who is hospitalized in good condition.
Most people infected with WNV have no symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Health authorities believe about one in five infected persons will have mild illness with fever, headache and body aches, sometimes with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Only about one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus will have the more serious illnesses of encephalitis or meningitis.
Symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of spinal cord and brain linings) include severe headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis. "Only individuals with fever and signs of encephalitis or meningitis should be tested for West Nile virus," said Dr. Johnson.
West Nile virus is transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. People cannot get it from touching or kissing others who have the virus or from a health care worker who has treated someone with it. West Nile virus is spread to humans only by mosquitoes and is not transmitted from person-to-person, horses to people or from crows to people.
The most sensitive indicator of West Nile virus activity is the presence of dead crows. Citizens are asked to report dead crow sightings to the West Nile virus toll-free hotline at 1-888-668-0869 or through a website at www.michigan.gov/mda and by clicking on "West Nile virus" and on "2002 Specimen Collection and Submission Instructions." Selected crows will be sent to the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at Michigan State University for testing.
There is no need for individuals to panic if they find a dead crow. If the bird is found in a county where West Nile has already been detected and has been reported via the toll-free hotline or Internet, it can be properly disposed of. Individuals should always avoid barehanded contact when handling any dead bird. Use disposable gloves to put the dead bird in a double plastic bag. If gloves are not available, invert a plastic shopping bag and scoop up the bird with the bag. Once the bird has been reported, place the bagged carcass in an outdoor garbage can for disposal.
Additional crows will not need to be submitted for testing from the 49 counties where West Nile has been detected. The counties are: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Monroe, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford. Persons in these counties are asked to report the presence of dead crows through either the toll free hotline or website.
More information on West Nile virus can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mda and http://www.cdc.gov. The most recent listing of counties where West Nile virus has been detected in birds can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/mda and by clicking on "West Nile Virus," located along the right "Quick Links" bar. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention toll-free public inquiry numbers are 1-888-246-2675 (English) and 1-888-246-2857 (Spanish).
- 30 -