This year is on track to be the worst ever for West Nile virus in the United States. Here are the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 1,590 reported cases, nearly 500 more than a week ago for a rise of 44 percent.
- 889 cases, or 56 percent, involve severe neurological disease.
- 66 deaths, compared to 41 last week.
Every state except Alaska and Hawaii has reported West Nile virus in people, birds or mosquitoes. “We expect the number of cases will rise through October,” says Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the CDC’s division of vector-borne infections.
In Texas, the worst-hit state, cases jumped by nearly 200 over the past week and deaths reached 31, up 10 from last week. “As I look at the data, I’m not convinced we have peaked,” Texas health commissioner Dr, David Lakey told reporters on a CDC conference call Wednesday.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
