West Nile epidemic ‘worst in history’ as virus infects 1,118 in America and leaves 41 dead
- 41 people killed this year by mosquito-borne virus
- 1,120 recorded cases compared to under 300 in average year
- Half of all cases of West Nile this year have been in Texas
- Hot, dry weather has created an ideal environment for the mosquitoes to breed
- Scientists investigating whether virus mutated
America is in the midst of its biggest ever outbreak of West Nile virus, with four times the usual number of cases reported for this time of year.
Nearly 1,120 people have already contracted the mosquito-borne illness, up from fewer than 300 by mid-August in an ordinary year, and 41 people have died.
Medical experts believe the mild winter and very hot summer boosted the number of mosquitoes around, helping to spread the virus.
But it’s still too early to say how bad epidemic will end up because most West Nile infections are reported in August and September.
We’re in the midst of one of the largest West Nile outbreaks ever seen in the United States,’ said Dr Lyle Petersen, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Never before have so many cases been called in this early in the year and the number of patients are accelerating, with about 400 of them being struck down in just the last week.
76-year-old William Mueller’s death has sparked fears the virus epidemic may be spreading
Almost half of the cases so far reported have come from Texas, mainly around the Dallas area.
Twenty-one people have died in the state this year, which is more than all other years combined. Four of the Texas deaths were reported on Tuesday.
Officials don’t know why Texas is seeing so many cases, but it’s alarming.
Last week, they started aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Dallas County.
But it’s too soon to measure the effect — it takes between three and 14 days for people to develop symptoms after being infected by a mosquito.
