2nd West Nile death in Kent County

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A second person in Kent County has died this year after contracting West Nile virus, according to the county health department.

The victim was an elderly male, health department officials said, but no further details were provided.

The death is the sixth in the state this year caused by West Nile virus, according to the health department. All six victims have been older than 59.

The first Kent County death was that of 87-year-old Lorraine Gutowski, mother of Grand Rapids City Commissioner Walt Gutowski. She died Aug. 29 after a week in a hospital.

The other deaths have been concentrated in the state's southeast region.

There have been 124 confirmed West Nile virus cases in the state so far this year, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Twenty-eight of those cases were in Kent County, making it the second hardest-hit county, following Wayne County.

== MDCH West Nile virus cases and deaths by county (pdf) ==

Last week, the MDCH said the state was experiencing an "epidemic." Both Michigan and Kent County are on track for one of the worst West Nile virus seasons they have ever had.

The West Nile virus first appeared in West Michigan 10 years ago. In 2002, there were four deaths in Kent County and 57 cases -- making it the third hardest-hit county in Michigan. Also in 2002, 51 people died in Michigan from 644 cases, making the state the fifth hardest-hit in the U.S .

Anyone can contract West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, but the elderly are especially vulnerable to it.

The Kent County Health Department recommends using bug spray and eliminating standing water on your property.

"Just because you are younger and healthier, doesn't mean that you shouldn't take those precautions," said Kent County Health Department spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante. "However, if you are older, if you are elderly, or if you already have a compromised immune system, make sure that you are taking those extra steps."

August and September are when humans in Michigan are most likely to contract WNV, according to the MDCH, because that is when mosquitoes are older and more likely to carry it.

Most people bitten by a mosquito carrying WNV don't show any symptoms. When illness does occur, symptoms usually manifest between three and 15 days after being bitten, according to the MDCH. Symptoms typically present like the flu.

West Nile virus can also cause neurological illnesses like meningitis and encephalitis that may lead to death.

The City of Grand Rapids announced Tuesday it will again begin to target storm drain catch basins with a larvicide pellet to kill the insects. The city will concentrate its attack in the areas that have had the highest rates of infection.

As of Sept. 4, there have been 1,993 confirmed cases and 87 confirmed deaths nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 888 of the cases and 35 of the deaths were reported in Texas, which has been hit hardest by this year's outbreak.

----

Recommendations from the Kent County Health Department:

• Use insect repellent when outdoors. Apply repellent to clothing and exposed skin, and follow directions on the product label.
• Don't apply repellent under clothing, or on cuts, wounds or irritated skin. You should not apply repellent around the eyes or mouth, and if using spray, apply spray to your hands first, and then apply to face.  
• Repellent should not be used on infants under 2 months old at all. KCHD recommends putting netting over the infant's stroller. DEET-containing products should be avoided for children 24 months of age or younger, and those containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not to be used on children under three years of age.
• When using repellent on children, put it on your hands first, then on the child. Children tend to put their hands in or near their mouths, so don't apply repellent to a child's hands.  
• After you and your children get back indoors, wash off the repellent with soap and water, and wash treated clothing before wearing again.
• At home, be sure you are not making it easy for mosquitoes to breed. Make sure to eliminate any standing water. Twice a week, empty water from birdbaths, flower pots, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans. Make sure rain gutters are clear of debris. Throw out old tires and other items that could collect water.
• Avoid areas where mosquitoes are likely to be, such as wooded areas or swampy land.

------

Online:

West Nile virus information via CDC

West Nile virus fact sheet and how to prevent it