West Nile virus update: Number of cases in Washtenaw County rises to three

A woman who was between the ages of 75 and 85 from Washtenaw County was the first death in the state this year from the virus. Soon after her death, reported in mid-August, a second case in the county was reported. The third case surfaced recently.

As of Friday, West Nile virus had been detected in 148 people and blood donations in the state. Six people have died, with the most recent death that of an elderly man in Grand Rapids.

The highest numbers of sickness in Michigan are in Kent and Wayne counties, as well as in the city of Detroit.

In Kent County, there have been two deaths from the virus and it had been detected in 32 people and blood donations this summer. In Wayne County, where West Nile has also caused two deaths and was detected in 40 people and blood donations.

One person has died in Detroit from the virus, and it has been detected in 22 people and blood donations.

West Nile virus is carried by birds and transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

The state says there were 34 cases and two deaths from the virus in 2011.