Michigan officials say a second person has died from the West Nile virus, and 18 more cases have been reported this week.
Today, the Michigan Department of Community Health released figures (see chart) showing two deaths and 41 cases this season.
Officials last week said an elderly woman in Washtenaw County died from West Nile. Details of the most recent death were not released.
The data shows cases span several counties, including nine cases in Wayne, eight in Macomb, six in Oakland and seven in Detroit.
Yesterday, federal officials reported four times the usual number of cases in the current U.S. West Nile outbreak.
So far, 1,118 illnesses and 41 deaths have been reported nationwide. Typically, fewer than 300 cases are reported by mid-August.
Prevention tips include draining standing water in your yard, avoiding skin exposure to mosquitos, wearing mosquito repellant and reporting sick or dead animals to authorities.
-Elaine Ezekiel, Michigan Radio Newsroom
