Oakland County woman, 81, dies of West Nile virus

An Oakland County woman, 81, has become Michigan’s first West Nile Virus-related death this year, the Oakland County Department of Health announced Friday morning.

Oakland County hadn’t suffered a West Nile-related virus death since 2003.

The West Nile Virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is “most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.”

As the CDC warns, “there are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection,” but some 80 percent of the people affected by the virus develop no symptoms. Less than 1 percent of the people infected die from it.

Those who are 50 years old or older have a greater chance of getting sick and developing complications.

Oakland County had reported a blood donor, two mosquito pools and a crow tested positive for the virus this month.

Also earlier this month, West Nile virus in humans was confirmed in Macomb, Monroe and Ottawa counties.

West Nile Virus is spread to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected have no symptoms or have mild illness such as fever, body aches and headache, according to health officials.

People are urged to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing and limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn. Also avoid areas with mosquitoes, such as wooded or shaded areas.

jdickson@detroitnews.com