KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - State health officials say lab tests have confirmed that two Michigan men contracted a rare, potentially deadly form of encephalitis spread by mosquitoes.
The Detroit Free Press reports that health officials said Friday that test results show the two Kalamazoo County men contracted Eastern equine encephalitis. A 61-year-old patient is recovering at home, but a 41-year-old victim remains hospitalized.
State epidemiologist Kim Signs says about one-third of humans who get sick with the illness die when symptoms such as fever, chills and vomiting lead to seizures and coma.
Human cases of the virus are so rare just five or 10 are reported across the U.S. most years. Michigan's two cases come amidan outbreak of the disease among horses.
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