News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena are off the air. Click here to learn more.

State health officials confirm eight cases and one death from West Nile Virus this year

Flickr User Enrique Dans
/
https://flic.kr/p/xsPhW

There have been eight cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in Michigan so far this year.  

Of the eight cases, one resulted in death, and all but one of the victims were hospitalized.

Health officials said they have seen West Nile activity statewide this year. They said 66 birds and 74 mosquito pools have tested positive for the disease.

Most people who contract west nile virus won’t see an symptoms. One in five people infected will have illness and fever, and one in 150 will become severely ill.

Symptoms include body aches, vomiting, or rash. Severe symptoms may include stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness and tremors.

More information and prevention methods can be found here.