2nd Michigan death reported from West Nile virus as U.S. officials brace for spike
Less than a week after an elderly Washtenaw County woman became the first person to die in Michigan this year from West Nile virus, state officials reported Thursday a second person has died and 18 additional cases have been reported in the past week, the Associated Press reported.
The second death occurred in Detroit. Overall, 41 West Nile cases have been recorded in Michigan this year, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.
The announcement comes a day after federal officials reported four times the number of usual West Nile virus cases in the current U.S. West Nile outbreak.
Captured mosquitoes from a trap Aug. 7 at the Dallas County Mosquito Lab in Texas. A growing number of West Nile virus cases in north Texas is part of a nationwide spike in cases this summer.
Evans Caglage | AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News
Unlike some species of mosquito, the Culex mosquito prefers stagnant water in which to lay eggs.
The warm weather shortened the time it takes for larvae to mature, and hastened the growth of West Nile in the body of the mosquito.
The virus can cause a mild to severe illness — including encephalitis or meningitis, which are inflammations of the brain — in humans and other animals.
People age 50 or older are more at risk for West Nile virus. Symptoms of severe infection include headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
Nationwide, 1,118 people have reportedly been sickened by West Nile and 41 people have died this year.
Typically, less than 300 cases are reported by the middle of August.
Officials have expressed worry that changing weather patterns will mean that West Nile virus peaks will continue to lead to high numbers of West Nile case in future years, USA Today reported.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
I remember when: a single Memorial Day weekend resulted in over 300 traffic deaths. So here we are: NOT in Texas and "suffering" all of two deaths in a week's time. I'd say we'd better count our blessings - and try dabbing on some DEET before venturing into "Death Trap Michigan Outdoors." Just sayin' - it's a threat but not a very serious one as yet. Weather patterns: so politicized, it's a wonder anyone dares to mention it in the news. FWIW: there's been a northern migration of dozens of species of plants, animals and insects for over 10 years. This is fact: and the natural consequence is that "southern disease" organisms are arriving in temperate zones - like West Nile Virus. Can't blame politicians for that - but we can blame politicians who claim there's nothing to this. The WNV is not the only disease organism moving north - it's just irresponsible to tell people otherwise.
mars
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
Actually, although there are many diseases that have expanded their range due to climate change, West Nile virus is not one of them. The virus first arrived in the US in 1999 in New York, and spread to the rest of the nation over the subsequent few years. It was not a "southern disease" prior to 1999, it was totally foreign to the western hemisphere. The spread was well documented by public health agencies, and if you google it you can see maps of how it spread. Certainly climate change could influence the severity of each year's outbreaks, but unfortunately the virus is here to stay regardless.
JRW
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
WHERE is the second death located in Michigan? Why isn't this information provided when deaths are reported????? "state officials reported Thursday a second person has died and 18 additional cases have been reported in the past week" Where is the state of Michigan is the second death located?
Amy Biolchini
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
The second death occurred in Detroit, according to the map provided from the Michigan Department of Community Health. I've updated the story to reflect that fact. Though there are 41 cases of West Nile virus in the state, the map state the number as 60 cases because it contains the number of blood donations that have tested positive for the virus as well as three of the positive donors that later became sick.