DETROIT (AP) -- Officials say an 84-year-old Texas man visiting family in Michigan has died from the West Nile virus, the third death in the state this year.
Although Texas has had hundreds of cases, the Michigan Department of Community Health says the man likely got the illness while in the Detroit area. Spokeswoman Angela Minicuci (Min-uh-KOO-chee) says the man died in mid-August. No other details were released Friday.
Michigan has confirmed at least 47 cases of West Nile. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from birds they bite and then pass it to people. In its most severe form, the virus can attack the body's neurological system.
Experts advise people to get rid of standing water, use bug repellant and wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening.
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