4th West Nile death in Michigan in 2012

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan health officials say an 86-year-old woman from Wayne County is the fourth person to die from the West Nile virus in the state this year.

Department of Community Health spokeswoman Angela Minicuci confirmed the death Wednesday.

On a conference call with reporters, MDCH Interim Chief Medical Executive Dean Sienko said there have been 80 human cases of West Nile this year in the state, and in 62 of those, the patient required hospitalization.

In all of 2011, Michigan recorded 34 human cases of West Nile virus and two deaths.

Sienko says Michigan is experiencing an "epidemic of West Nile virus activity."

Experts think a mild winter, early spring and hot summer have helped stimulate mosquito breeding and the spread of the virus.

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Measures to prevent West Nile virus, provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health:

• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA approved repellent to exposed skin or clothing, especially during peak mosquito activity periods such as dusk and dawn.
• Wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

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Online:

West Nile virus information via CDC

West Nile virus fact sheet and how to prevent it