Michigan has its 1st deadly human West Nile Virus infection of 2012

Washtenaw County woman who died in hospital is Michigan's 1st West Nile Virus death this year

DETROITThe Michigan Department of Community Health announced Thursday that the state has received its first report of a person dying from West Nile Virus.

A Washtenaw County woman who had been hospitalized with viral meningitis is Michigan's first human West Nile Virus death of 2012.

Human WNV cases are on the rise both nationally and in Michigan, according to the MDCH. In Michigan, 24 cases and one death have been reported to the Center for Disease Control through the second week of August.

View: Michigan 2012 West Nile Virus cases

"With the virus appearing earlier this year than it has in recent years, we want to remind residents to take the appropriate precautions to avoid getting bitten," said Dr. Corinne Miller, state epidemiologist with the MDCH.

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