81-year-old in Oakland Co. dies from West Nile Virus

Oakland County hadn’t suffered a West Nile-related virus death since 2003. “We strongly encourage residents to protect themselves and family members from mosquitoes, even as we enter the fall season”. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.

The department says the latest death was a Kingfisher County resident. The most susceptible to the illness include infants and the elderly.

As the CDC warns, “there are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection”, but some 80 percent of the people affected by the virus develop no symptoms.

Six people were infected with West Nile virus previous year.

West Nile virus has been identified in 23 Connecticut communities so far this year, including Bridgeport, Cheshire, Chester, Darien, East Haven, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Groton, Guilford, Haddam, Hartford, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Stonington, Stratford, Waterford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield and Wilton.

Statewide, more than 150 human cases of the virus have been confirmed since January 1.

West Nile virus can produce symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a body rash.

People are urged to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing and limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn.