West Nile Virus Found in Donated Blood

Oakland County, Michigan officlas say donated blood tested positive

Health officials in Oakland County, Michigan say donated blood has tested positive for West Nile virus.

The Detroit News reported Monday that the positive test was discovered during routine testing by the American Red Cross.

A case of West Nile was found in July in nearby Livingston County.

Mosquitoes pick up the virus from infected birds, and is then passed on to humans. The elderly and people with weak immune systems are considered to be at the greatest risk.

Many people who are infected won’t develop any symptoms, which can include body aches, joint pain, and diarrhea.