West Nile, swine flu cases in Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WOOD/AP) - Two potentially serious illnesses have been detected in Michigan recently.

Health officials say a strain of swine flu is responsible for an illness that sickened a child who recently attended the Ingham County Fair.

The Michigan Department of Community Health announced Wednesday it was the first case of H3N2 variant flu virus in the state. The department says the child from Washtenaw County had a mild illness and wasn't hospitalized. Results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have been a number of swine flu cases in other states, and state and county fair visitors have been warned to avoid contact with pigs if possible. The Michigan Department of Community Health says it's working with local health departments to identify any other potential cases.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health announced Wednesday that they confirmed the case in a 5-year-old Montcalm County horse. They say the horse is getting treatment.

This is the first West Nile virus case in a horse in Michigan this year.

The virus is transported by mosquitos. If transported to humans, it can be deadly. In fact, 16 people have died from it in Texas this year.