On Wednesday, a high alert has been set by the health officials in Michigan in concern of West Nile disease. This is a mosquito-borne illness and according to sources, there seems to be an epidemic of it in the area. The ratio of patients suffering from its symptoms has almost reached the epidemic level.

In particular, the older suburbs that ring metro Detroit and Grand Rapids seem to be the most affected ones.

According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during this entire summer season, in total 80 cases of West Nile Disease have been reported from Michigan, among which four have even died. With this, Michigan becomes the sixth highest in the nation suffering from the virus.

Elders above the age of 50, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and those suffering from lethal illnesses like cancer and kidney diseases are at a higher risk of catching the infection.

In total there are six states that have been announced to be in the web of West Nile Disease. These include Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Louisiana. About 70% of the nation's West Nile cases have been reported from these. So far, no such case or report has been recorded from Alaska and Hawaii.