COLDWATER (WTVB) - It’s being called one of the worst years for the West Nile Virus since it first appeared over a decade ago and the first cases have appeared in West Michigan, although none have been reported yet in Branch County. It’s Kent and Allegan Counties that have each confirmed one case and two other likely cases are being tested. And the first West Nile Death in the state has also been recorded with the passing of an elderly woman over 75 in Washtenaw County. West Nile is spread by mosquitoes and health officials say for some reason, it impacts seniors harder.  All 4 cases in west Michigan are people over 50. So far this year nationwide there have been 693 confirmed cases and at least 26 deaths.