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06/21/2006West Nile cases reportedOfficials warn of risk from mosquito bitesGAYLORD — A fresh case of West Nile virus in Leelanau County comes on the heels of two cases in Benzie and Otsego counties. A dead crow was found in southeast Leelanau County, near Fouch Road in Elmwood Township. Officials with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department on Tuesday confirmed it as a case of West Nile virus, just after another dead crow tested positive for the communicable disease last week. The first dead bird was found near a rural home, about three miles south of Benzonia, said Bill Crawford, the department's environmental health director. A dead raven was found the same day in the Little and Big Bear lakes area, southeast of Johannesburg in Otsego County. The Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency said it tested positive for West Nile Virus. "Since mosquitoes carry West Nile virus from birds to humans, it is important for everyone to prevent mosquito bites," said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, medical director for the health agency covering Antrim, Emmet and Otsego counties. The virus has baffled doctors and scientists since it was first reported in the United States, in New York City in 1999, said T.J. Bucholz, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health. "It's difficult to understand how this disease works in individual human bodies. Some people never exhibit any kind of symptoms at all and some people become extremely ill. We don't know why," he said. Bucholz said Michigan's first case was in 2002, a year that saw 644 human cases and 50 deaths. There were four deaths last year from among 62 human cases, while one death was reported in 2004 from among 16 human cases. Audrey Stevens lives in a rural house near a pond in an Otsego County neighborhood where the dead raven was found. She said with West Nile virus known to be in the area, she intends to douse her husband and grandchildren with bug repellent this summer. "When you live out in the woods, you have to take precautions," she said. They frequently change the water in a backyard bird bath and keep pools of water from collecting in tarps and flower pots — all recommended by health officials. Authorities said anyone who finds a dead raven, crow or blue jay should immediately report it to health officials, but not handle the carcass. See related story:
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