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August 27, 2002
August 27, 2002
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the initial West Nile virus (WNV) cases in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) reported today. Two new cases have also been reported, bringing to 15 the total number of human cases in Michigan.
The confirmation was completed with testing in CDC laboratories. Once initial cases are confirmed by the CDC, subsequent cases that meet strict guidelines can also be confirmed by testing in state laboratories. Ten of the state's initial 13 cases and one of the new cases are now confirmed under those guidelines. The other four cases need further testing, said MDCH Chief Medical Executive David R. Johnson, M.D.
The 11 confirmed cases are:
· The first new case, a 55-year-old Kent County man, who has been released from the hospital
· Seven cases in Oakland County:
o An 82-year-old man who has been released from the hospital
o A 63-year-old man, also released
o A 38-year-old woman who has been released
o A 62-year-old woman, also released
o An 85-year-old man hospitalized in serious condition
o A 65-year-old man who died
o And a 74-year-old man hospitalized in serious condition
· A 44-year-old Bay County woman who is in inpatient rehabilitation
· A 37-year-old Cass County man who has been released
· An 80-year-old Wayne County man hospitalized in stable condition
The four cases that remain probable and need additional testing are:
· The second new case, a 39-year-old Macomb County woman who was seen in an emergency room visit but not admitted
· A nine-month-old Oakland County infant who has been released
· A 38-year-old Oakland County man, also released
· An 82-year-old Oakland County woman, also released
MDCH officials emphasized that a report of a second death attributed to WNV cannot yet be confirmed. "A 90-year-old Oakland County man who had multiple medical problems died with encephalitis and meningitis, but there are many causes of these illnesses other than West Nile virus," said Johnson. "Unfortunately, test specimens were not sent to the state laboratories but to an independent lab and their results are not convincing. We are attempting to get a sufficient specimen for appropriate testing in state laboratories."
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.
"Only individuals with fever and signs of encephalitis or meningitis should be tested for West Nile virus," said Johnson. 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.
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. 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 transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
"We emphasize the importance of taking basic precautions to avoid mosquito bites," said Johnson. "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.
Two additional counties, Antrim and Montcalm, have been added to the list of counties where WNV has been confirmed by tests on infected crows that died. The addition of these two brings to 51 the number of counties where the presence of WNV has been confirmed. They are:
Allegan, Antrim, 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, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.
The presence of dead crows is the most sensitive indicator of West Nile virus activity. 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 51 counties where West Nile has been detected. Persons in these counties are asked to report the presence of dead crows through either the toll free hotline or website.
A comprehensive update on WNV activity in Michigan horses will soon be available from the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
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).
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