Fwd: [LymeDisease_chronicillness_jokes_ETC] First human case of West Nile confirmed in Michigan

June 28, 2004

Bre <bk_dizzy2 wrote:

LymeDisease_chronicillness_jokes_ETC From: "Bre" Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:09:53 -0000[LymeDisease_chronicillness_jokes_ETC] First human case of West Nile confirmed in MichiganSaturday, June 26, 2004Human case of West Nile confirmed in Kalamazoo CountyBy Tim Martin / Associated PressLANSING -- The first human case of West Nile virus this year inMichigan was confirmed Friday by state health officials.A 43-year-old Kalamazoo County man is recovering from the diseaseafter being treated and released from a hospital recently, said T.J.Bucholz, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.Michigan is the eighth state in the nation and the first in theMidwest to report a human West Nile case this summer. Arizona leadsthe count, with at least

20 reported cases, according to the Centersfor Disease Control.Other states reporting the virus in humans are California, Florida,Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming.The mosquito-borne virus has been detected in 37 birds in 13 Michigancounties this summer.Michigan health officials reported 19 human cases and two deaths fromWest Nile last year.In 2002, Michigan reported 644 human cases and 51 deaths.This year's arrival of the virus in humans is slightly earlier than inthe previous two summers, said Dr. Matthew Boulton, the state ofMichigan's chief medical executive. Heavy rains have made the mosquitopopulation plentiful in many areas of the state."With the confirmation of our first human case we are again remindingthe public to be vigilant about protecting themselves against mosquitobites," said Dr. Roger Vander Schie, director of Kalamazoo County'shuman services

department.Residents can help cut down on mosquito populations by removingstanding water from lawns, bird baths, pet dishes and other placeswhere the insects may breed.People older than 55 may be most vulnerable to West Nile, but mostpeople infected show no symptoms, health officials say. About 20percent may develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches.The most serious cases result in encephalitis and sometimes death.The virus has been detected this year in birds in the followingMichigan counties: Allegan, Eaton, Ingham, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kent,Livingston, Midland, Missaukee, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Joseph and Van Buren.On the Net:State of Michigan's West Nile virus updates:http://www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus