KALAMAZOO, MI – The West Nile outbreak that has reportedly caused three deaths in Michigan and is one of the largest outbreaks ever in the United States isn't widespread in Southwest Michigan, but a state public health official warns that it could be soon.

"All residents in the state of Michigan are at risk for getting West Nile," said Angela Minicuci, Michigan Department of Community Health public information officer.

As of Friday, the Michigan Department of Community Health had confirmed 57 cases of West Nile and three deaths from the virus this year. Last year, the virus was responsible for 34 serious illnesses and two deaths in Michigan.

There has been one human case reported in Allegan County and no cases in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Van Buren, Barry, St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien counties, Minicuci said. There have been five cases reported in Kent County and a dozen more possible cases being tested.

Minicuci said it is very possible West Nile will spread further into Southwest Michigan because cases have been reported in nearby counties and the disease has been found in all kinds of wildlife and a horse. Mosquitoes bite infected animals then transmit the virus to humans.

There have been more than 1,100 illnesses and 40 deaths reported nationwide. Fewer than 300 cases are reported by mid-August in a typical year. Virus infections in people, birds or mosquitoes have been reported in 47 states and most cases are reported in August and September, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control.

Dr. Richard Van Enk, director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Bronson Methodist Hospital, said most people who are exposed to the diseases never show any symptoms.

He said older people and people with weak immune systems are more susceptible to becoming seriously ill or possibly dying.

"We've all probably been bitten and got the virus, but we never realized we were sick because our bodies fought it off," Van Enk said.

The first sign that someone might have contracted West Nile is the presence of a fever. Van Enk said if someone is suffering from an unexplained fever and headache and has been exposed to mosquitoes, they should be tested for West Nile.

The warm winter, wet spring and very hot summer helped create a "perfect storm" for mosquito breeding and the spread of the virus, Van Enk said.

Van Enk said people should wear mosquito repellant, long sleeves and pants to avoid exposure to mosquitoes. He said people should avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes most frequently feed and empty standing water from buckets, kiddie pools and other places to discourage breeding.

"If you're not exposing yourself to the mosquitoes, you're less likely to be bitten," Van Enk said.

Contact Anthony Smigiel at asmigiel@mlive.com.