LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s health department is investigating several possible cases of coronavirus.
The disease has sickened more than 800 people since being discovered in December and killed 26 people. So far, there have been two confirmed cases in the U.S., both from people who recently visited Wuhan, China.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is giving special attention to people with symptoms of lower respiratory illness, fever and a travel history that includes Wuhan or contact with someone who may have the infection.
At this time, the only place to test for coronavirus is at the Centers for Disease Control. MDHHS is evaluating patients from several counties and sending the samples to the CDC.
So far, a sample has been sent from two people in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb County.
Results are expected within several days of being sent.
MDHHS says the cases being investigated in the state have presented with mild illness. The people who may be infected are isolating themselves and local health departments are closely monitoring anyone who has come into contact with them.
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals and humans. In some rare cases, the virus can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The outbreak has prompted travel lockdowns in Wuhan and the province of Hubei. The CDC has issued a level 3 warning to Hubei.
