West Nile Virus - on the Decline in Michigan? ANN ARBOR (Michigan Radio) -


A 56 year old man in Macomb County is the latest person to be diagnosed with West Nile Virus this year.

In all, five people in Michigan have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly, mosquito borne illness this year. All have recovered.

James McCurtis is a spokesman for the Department of Community Health. He credits a decline in virus cases to a drop in Michigan's mosquito population this summer and an aggressive health department West Nile Virus education campaign.

"That education process could have resonated with the citizens of Michigan to learn about West Nile Virus," says McCurtis.

If the current numbers hold up, this would be the lowest number of West Nile Virus infections in Michigan since the illness was first detected in the state in 2001. In 2002, more than 600 people were infected with West Nile Virus, and 51 died. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio