West Nile Virus Spreads to 43 States: 693 Cases, 26 Deaths
Over 693 cases and 26 deaths have resulted from West Nile virus this year, and officials report that the numbers are only increasing.
The West Nile virus is continuing to spread and at more rapid rates this year than ever, according to officials, who have stated that the numbers reveal an upwards trend.
"There's been a lot of mosquito activity in most states" this year, Marc Fischer, a specialist in mosquito-borne diseases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Fort Collins, Colo., told USA Today in a report.
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The worst of the attacks, however, have occurred in Texas, where 16 people have died out of the 381 cases that were reported.
"We're on track to have the worst year ever," said Christine Mann, spokeswoman for the Department of State Health Services in Austin.
Almost half of all cases were reported in Texas. Nationwide, a total of 693 cases are known, 26 of which have resulted in death. More than half of the 693 cases were recorded as a neuroinvasive diseases. Danger increases because symptoms are not always apparent and those infected with WNV may be unaware. The CDC has reported that on average, only 20 percent of people will experience symptoms associated with West Nile fever.
Still, 4 of 5 people who are infected with WNV will not develop any form of illness. Less than one percent of those infected will develop West Nile disease, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
"All that day, I sat there and watched him, and I knew something was wrong with my husband," Betty Best, who lost her husband of 65 years to the virus. After a second trip to the hospital, her husband was diagnosed with the West Nile Virus disease.
"That's when I knew my husband was going to go," Betty Best told CNN affiliate WRAL in North Carolina.
A mild winter and ample amounts of rain have contributed to making this year more challenging the previous ones. Heat and small pools of water provide breeding space for mosquitoes and people have been cautioned to avoid allowing stagnant water puddles to remain anywhere near their homes.
